Red Deer Rebels defenceman Luke Vlooswyk’s game has continued to evolve.
The 17-year-old has suited up for the Rebels in just two games this season, both of which were last weekend, but the rookie has already made an immediate impact.
In his second Western Hockey League game, the Calgary, native sniped his first career goal against the Swift Current Broncos.
While Rebels captain Kai Uchacz held possession of the puck in the offensive zone, Vlooswyk charged into the zone and fired it into the back of the net in front of the home crowd at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
“It was pretty exciting,” Vlooswyk said on Thursday. “I just saw an open seam and Uchacz made a nice pass and it was in the back of the net.
“I got the puck on my stick and as I was releasing it I got hit. It ended up getting a pretty cool picture after. I felt like I was Bobby Orr flying through the air.”
His tally also ended up on a highlight really during a Hockey Night in Canada broadcast where Ron Maclean analyzed the goal.
“That’s got to be thanks to my mom. She knows Ron Maclean pretty well so that was definitely super cool. I had a lot of buddies text me about that,” he said.
Vlooswyk was selected 17th overall in the first round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. The following season he suited up for the U18 AAA Calgary Buffaloes where he scored 11 points in 30 games. He also played in one regular season game with the Rebels.
This season Vlooswyk was expected to make the Rebels roster as a full-time player but due to a deep defensive lineup, the Rebels returned him to Calgary.
This season he joined the Edge School U18 prep team which is one of Alberta’s most recognized hockey academies.
While there he’s taken his game to another level notching 16 points in 28 games. He’s also gotten to play with the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming WHL Prospects Draft, Landon Dupont.
“It’s been a really good year for my development. I’ve got to develop a more offensive side to my game so the coaches have been awesome,” Vlooswyk added.
“We’ve got a really good team this year and when you’re playing with a lot of like-minded players who have the same goals as you it makes it really easy to play with.”
However, when Rebels defenceman Hunter Mayo went down with an injury, Vlooswyk earned the call-up last week and appeared in two games.
This week Mayo was listed as day-to-day and could be back in the lineup at any point so it’s unknown how long the Rebels will keep Vlooswyk.
For now, he’s enjoying the experience.
“Every practice, every game I feel like I’m adjusting to the speed, the pace of the game,” he said. “I think the more I adjust to it the more I feel comfortable here and the more I can play with the big boys.”
If Vlooswyk suits up for the Rebels’ upcoming matchups with the Calgary Hitmen on Friday and Saturday he hopes to continue to use his size to his advantage.
At such a young age he stands at a whopping six feet four inches tall and 191 pounds.
“I think I’m going to be a big, mean, strong defenceman,” he said.
“I think over the years I can develop into more of a two-way player but for now, what they’re preaching to me is to play that big defensive role. Use my biggest asset which is my size.”