A pair of Red Deer Rebels have been named to NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary Players To Watch List in advance of the 2025 NHL Draft.
The list is described as a compilation of draft-eligible prospects from all the major development leagues throughout North America and Europe. It will be updated throughout the season as scouts evaluate players.
Players on the list received the following ratings:
— A: Indicates a 1st round candidate
— B: Indicates a 2nd/3rd round candidate
— C: Indicates a 4th/5th round candidate
— W: Indicates a 6th/7th round candidate
— LV (Limited Viewing): Injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized
Rebels centre Matthew Gard received a B rating and defenceman Luke Vlooswyk received a C rating on the list, which was released Wednesday, Oct. 23. They are two of the 55 Western Hockey League players were are on the list.
"It's pretty cool (to be on the list), but it's still early on in the season. Got to keep working to get to the ultimate goal," said Gard, who has put up eight points through his first 10 games of the season.
"I think I've been playing pretty well this season and sticking to what I can do to help the team win. I want to keep building on that. ... I'm a big skilled guy who can produce in the offensive zone and shut it down in the defensive zone."
Vlooswyk said it was exciting to see his name on the Players to Watch List, but he knows there's plenty of work to be done during the 2024-25 WHL season.
"It's an honour to be named to that. At the same time, I'm not an A prospect, so that shows there's still room to grow and parts of my game that I can elevate," said Vlooswyk, who has three points through his first 11 games this season.
Listed at six-foot-four and 201 pounds, Vlooswyk said he wants to focus on improving the level of physicality he brings to the ice.
Rebels head coach Dave Struch said both Gard and Vlooswyk have had a great start to the season.
"At the start of the year there are always inconsistencies in different parts of the game, but as far as competing and battling, and learning from those inconsistencies, they've both taken big steps," said Struch.
"With (Vlooswyk), he's playing in a top-four role and learning how to play against other teams' top lines, which is really difficult. He's done very well to this point and expect him to keep getting better. With (Gard) it's the exact same situation, but on the other side — he's playing against top guys as a centreman. That requires a lot in this league. It can be difficult to play against top-six guys as a young guy in this league. He's really thrived in his opportunities."
The Red Deer Rebels will host the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday evening at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Red Deer will then head to Lethbridge to battle the Hurricanes on Saturday evening.