Regina Pats' first overall pick Maddox Schultz and his family couldn't contain their excitement when the hometown team won the lottery and had a chance to select him in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.
"When that lottery ball was picked for Regina, our whole family jumped up and were really excited," Schultz told the SportsCage. "Staying at home, it's pretty special."
The Pats selecting Schultz marked the third time in franchise history the team picked first. The other two times were Connor Bedard in 2020 and Colten Teubert in 2005.
Schultz's time since the draft has been exciting. He was caught off guard by the support he's received from Pats alumni.
"I got video calls from Connor Bedard and Sam Steel, who is one of my idols, as well as Cole Sillinger and Jordan Eberle," Schultz said." Those video calls were super special."
According to Schultz, Steel is his pick for all-time favourite Pats player.
"I've been to many Pats games, but I was really little and love Sam Steel. Great player, he plays for the Dallas Stars," Schultz detailed. "He's not really a grinder, but he's more of a role guy. He fits in the lineup everywhere. He was a skill guy on the Pats, putting a lot in the back of the net, but he's great for Dallas."
Schultz knows he needs to work on at least one aspect of his game to adapt to the WHL style of play.
"Probably my face-offs. I think I did a pretty good job in the dot this year," Schultz said. "I think I need to be stronger on my stick and put more pressure on it."
Following the Schultz pick, the Pats traded with the Kelowna Rockets to select Liam Pue with the third overall pick.
"For me, [Pue] and Schultz were clearly the best two players in this draft," Regina Pats' general manager Alan Millar told the SportsCage. "I think if Pue was a different age, a year younger or a year older than Schultz, he'd be the number one player in the draft all day long."
After not deciding to pursue exceptional status, Schultz and Pue will be able to play 34 games this season for the Pats.
"We both love this option more. It's the new Western Hockey League development model and allows players who do U18 to play 34 games in the WHL," Schultz said." We're still not sure how the playoffs will pan out. If your midget triple-A team gets eliminated, then you can play the rest of the games with a WHL team. We're still not sure how that plays out, but there's still a lot to be talked about."
Last year, Schultz played for the Regina Pat Canadians as he led the SMAAAHL in scoring with 43 goals and 50 assists in 44 games. Schultz and the Pats won the SMAAAHL title, allowing them to compete and win the Western Regionals. The last tournament the Pat Canadians participated in was the Telus Cup national championship which the team won.
The Pats selected five more players in this year's prospect draft besides Schutlz and Pue, including forward Logan Henry, defenceman Cruz Nicolay and Charlie Leonard. The last two picks were forward Mahlon Wiley and goalie Dawson Sheehan.
"I'm excited to meet all the new guys at camp," Schultz said. "Hopefully, we can develop a pretty nice bond moving forward."
