(Red Deer Rebels)

By Ian Gustafson

The Broad Street Bullies

Rebels teammates Matthew Gard, Luke Vlooswyk drafted by Philadelphia Flyers

Jun 30, 2025 | 11:30 AM

The likelihood of Red Deer Rebels Matthew Gard and Luke Vlooswyk getting drafted by the same team in the 2025 NHL Draft were small.

… But not impossible.

The exact math is unclear but the hockey Gods had other plans as the Philadelphia Flyers selected the two Rebels teammates over the weekend in Los Angeles.

Forward Matthew Gard was picked 57th overall in the second round and Vlooswyk, 157th overall in the fifth round on Saturday.

“It was an honour to be selected by such a great organization,” Vlooswyk told rdnewsNOW over the phone. “They are one of the most historic franchises in the league and I’m so excited.”

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Vlooswyk made it down to California for the draft, meanwhile, Gard took in the experience from his home in Winnipeg.

“It’s a lifelong dream come true and for it to be the Flyers as well just makes it super cool,” Gard added. “Hearing my name called was an unforgettable moment for sure.”

The teammates also happen to be great friends both on and off the ice, so although it was certainly surprising, the pair are ecstatic.

“It’s unbelievable getting drafted to the same team as him,” Vlooswyk said. “We’re about as close friends as anyone and being able to not only go to the same team but we’re headed to development camp together. Both of us can’t believe it.”

“It’s a pretty unlikely thing to happen where we both play for the same team and get drafted by the same NHL team is really special,” Gard said. “It’s a really cool moment and a special day for the both of us.”

They had experienced this once before back in 2022, when they were drafted by Red Deer in the WHL Prospects Draft. Vlooswyk was selected 17th overall in the first round followed by Gard at 39th overall in the second round.

And although they didn’t know each other at that point, it didn’t take long for them to become friends. In training camp the following August in Red Deer, the duo hit it off.

Now, three years later the friendship has potential to grow outside of Red Deer and into the city of brotherly love.

“After everything settled down [Saturday] I FaceTimed him and got to chat about the draft and how excited we were that we are both going to Philly. It’s pretty unbelievable,” Vlooswyk added.

The work is just beginning for them now as they both arrived in Philadelphia just days after the draft to report to development camp for a week.

While there, they’ll get an opportunity to meet staff, explore the city, and show the franchise what they can do on the ice against other team prospects.

They’ll then return to Philadelphia in August for rookie camp.

Vlooswyk, from Calgary, made a big impression in his rookie campaign in the WHL last season, scoring three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 68 games. He was also one of four players on the roster who posted a positive plus/ minus on the ice.

“I want to show them the strong points of my game. My defending, my work ethic, and just the type of person I am off the ice. I just need to be myself and I think they’ll like what they see,” Vlooswyk said.

Meanwhile Gard, from Winnipeg, Man., notched a career-high 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 66 games.

“I just want to live up to the player that they drafted me as and what they think I am… This is something I want to be my career and something I’m passionate about,” Gard said. “It’s an honour just to go that high in the draft and I definitely credit it to all the years I’ve spent in Red Deer and how I’ve developed as a player and a person.”