With the 157th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers added a towering presence to their blue line, selecting Luke Vlooswyk, a right-shot defenseman from the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL and teammate of fellow Flyers 2025 draftee Matthew Gard.
Vlooswyk, born in Calgary, Alberta, didn’t generate the flashiest headlines leading into the draft, but his blend of size, poise, and defensive reliability made him an appealing project for the Flyers on Day 2. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds, he fits the mold of a modern shutdown defender who’s steadily refining his overall game.
WHL Rookie Season & Development Path
In his first full WHL season, Vlooswyk appeared in 68 games for Red Deer, contributing 3 goals and 14 assists while recording a +8 rating. Though his offensive numbers were modest, his growth as a defensive presence was clear as the season progressed.
He earned WHL Rookie of the Week honors in March after a standout stretch where he tallied 5 points over two games, including his first multi-point performance. Vlooswyk also gained valuable experience in the WHL playoffs, skating in 9 games as the Rebels made a first-round push.
Strengths: Size, Defensive Instincts, and Physical Edge
Vlooswyk uses his long reach and physical frame to close gaps, separate players from the puck, and excel in board battles. He plays a composed, positionally sound game and has shown flashes of smart breakout passing when under pressure.
His defensive stick is already a strength, and he’s not afraid to assert himself physically without overcommitting or chasing hits. Coaches and scouts alike have noted his maturity and willingness to play within his role — a promising sign for a teenage defenseman still learning the pace of major junior hockey.
Areas to Develop: Foot Speed and Puck Decisions
While he moves well for a player his size, Vlooswyk’s lateral agility and acceleration will need to improve to keep up with NHL-level pace. Offensively, his decision-making with the puck — particularly under pressure — remains a work in progress.
He’s shown flashes of offensive instincts in transition, but consistency and confidence in joining the rush or quarterbacking from the point are areas he’ll need to grow in over the next couple of seasons.
Projection and Timeline
Vlooswyk will remain in the WHL with Red Deer, where he’s expected to take on a larger role next season, potentially seeing time on the penalty kill and in late-game situations. With steady development, he could transition to the AHL within 2–3 years, likely as a bottom-pairing defenseman with penalty-killing responsibilities.
If he adds more offensive reliability and improves his skating, there’s a chance he could evolve into a second-pair, shutdown defender at the NHL level.
NHL Comparison
A stylistic comparison might be Nick Seeler — a dependable, physical blueliner who thrives in a support role, embraces tough minutes, and plays a clean, structured game. Like Seeler, Vlooswyk doesn’t need to produce big numbers to make a meaningful impact.
Flyers System Fit
Within the Flyers’ current defensive group, Vlooswyk projects as a future depth piece in the mold of Seeler or Rasmus Ristolainen — strong in his own end, capable of killing penalties, and trusted in matchups against bigger, heavier forwards. As he refines his skating and gains experience, he could provide long-term value on a third pairing.
Bottom Line
The Flyers used their second fifth-round pick to address organizational depth on defense with a prospect who brings a valuable combination of size, smarts, and structure. Luke Vlooswyk may not be flashy, but his defensive game is mature for his age, and his ceiling could rise if he polishes his mobility and puck play. A smart, projectable addition to the Flyers’ growing pipeline of two-way defenders.
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