Storybook start to NHL career for Manitoba’s Brek Liske
Posted July 5, 2026 4:16 pm.
Last Updated July 6, 2026 10:17 am.
Last weekend, 50 friends and family gathered at the Liske family’s cabin in Lac du Bonnet, anticipating the name of Beausejour’s own Brek Liske being called at the NHL entry draft.
“I don’t think I cried in the moment, but I’ve cried several times since,” said Lonnie Liske, Brek’s father.
With the 53rd pick in the draft, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Brek in the second round, and when we asked his dad Lonnie what Brek’s reaction was, he said this.
“Well, I don’t know, because I was screaming, mom was screaming, and we were hugging; it was such a surreal moment that it was a quick hug and he was probably calmer than we were,” said Lonnie.
And his mother, Tara, echoed a similar sentiment.
“It’s a little overwhelming; it’s shocking, I mean you’re waiting for the moment; you’re anticipating Brek’s name being called, and when it’s called you’re just so proud of him too. I’m not a very emotional person, but the tears were rolling down,” said Tara.
“Now we’re not sure when the Flyers store will get Brek’s jerseys in stock, but I can tell you this, they’ll definitely be a lot bigger than this.”
That’s right, Brek grew up a lifelong Flyers fan, and it was a storybook beginning to his NHL career, especially for dad.
“Yeah, I brainwashed him pretty early. I had him in orange since he was a little kid; we have a picture of him on the community report when he was three years old skating around on the outdoor rink with a Liske Flyers jersey, so I don’t think he had much of a chance to cheer for any other team. I don’t ask for much, but I always told him he had to cheer for the Flyers,” explained Lonnie.
Lonnie said of course it wouldn’t have mattered where Brek got drafted, but at least this way the family doesn’t need to shop for any new furniture!
“We did have a Flyers recliner in the middle of the tent, and he did disclose that he would get rid of the Flyers chair after the draft because whatever team Brek was drafted to was going to be our new favourite NHL team, but he gets to keep the chair,” said Tara.
While 18-year-old Brek is away at training camp, his younger sister Jaeda talked about how much of a role model he’s been to her, and being drafted to the NHL is something he’s never lost sight of.
“It’s insane, you know, it’s always something we talked about when we were little; he had a vision board underneath his bunk bed with all the things he wanted to achieve when he got older. And obviously getting drafted was one of them. So it’s super cool to see that become a reality for him,” said Jaeda.
