By Sarah Tone, Communications Coordinator

Matt Gard (15, Winnipeg) is a 6’4” centre for Team Manitoba’s men’s hockey team, here at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, and comes from a very athletic family – starting with his parents Jay and Sherri, his older twin brothers Jack and Luke, as well as his younger brother Graham.

Matt’s dad played volleyball in the 1987 Canada Games for Team Manitoba and followed that up with playing four years for the University of Manitoba Bisons. Then, he joined the Canadian National Team program before moving on to play professionally in Europe for three years. 

His mom, Sherry, also competed in the Canada Games, in 1989. She played volleyball for Team Alberta as she had just completed her first year with the University of Alberta volleyball team and was thereby eligible to play for Team Alberta despite being from Winnipeg. Sherry played four years at U of A and was with the National Team for one year before she returned to the Pandas for her fifth year. 

Their sons, twins Luke and Jack, are currently in their first year at the University of Winnipeg – also playing volleyball. And the youngest of the family, Graham, who is in grade seven, is a multi-sport athlete, enjoying playing volleyball, basketball, hockey, and football.

Considering mom and dad played volleyball and his brothers are playing at the U of W, one might think that would be the path for Matt, too. When asked what drew him to hockey, he said it was really the first sport he played, as volleyball wasn’t available to him until middle school. He did think about playing volleyball as he is built for it, but really loves hockey and just couldn’t switch. If for some reason hockey was no longer an option, Matt would probably be playing volleyball or golf.

When Matt is not on the ice playing for the Rink Hockey Academy (RHA) U18 team, he enjoys time on the golf course, playing video games with his buddies and spending time with friends and family. 

Matt doesn’t mind the physical aspect of hockey, in fact, he uses his size to his advantage. It was certainly a factor in him being drafted to the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the second round last spring. Matt attended the Rebels’ camp this past September and thoroughly enjoyed his experience. He said there are certainly some big boys and recognizes he needs to be prepared every time he hits the ice. His one take-away was to always pass the puck hard.

When asked where he sees himself in three years, Matt wants to be playing in the Western Hockey League, working to position himself as an NHL draft pick.

Coming into the 2023 Canada Winter Games Matt’s goal is to take home a medal. He has enjoyed his Games experience so far. Trading pins, getting to meet athletes from other provinces, as well as rooming with athletes from other Manitoba teams has been a cool experience.

With Matt’s positive experience at these Games, hopefully he can inspire his younger brother Graham to someday play in the Canada Games, and keep it a family thing.