Regina Pats Franchise Moves At 2025 WHL Draft

The Regina Pats reshaped the trajectory of their franchise on Wednesday night, landing two of the biggest young talents in Canadian junior hockey during the first round of the 2025 WHL Draft.

With the first overall pick, the Pats selected homegrown forward Maddox Schultz, marking their first No. 1 selection since 2020 — when they drafted none other than Connor Bedard. 

But Regina wasn’t done. 

The team pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire the third overall pick and used it to land exceptional-status player Liam Pue from Langley Hockey Academy’s 18U squad in the Junior Hockey Prospects League (JPHL).

It was a night that could define the next era of Pats hockey.

Schultz, who turned 15 in March, was considered a strong candidate to apply for exceptional-player status, which would have allowed him to play a full WHL season next year. Instead, 

Schultz and his family opted to enter under the Western Canadian Development Model, which permits him to play up to 34 regular season WHL games next season while continuing minor hockey development.

Schultz dominated this year with the Regina Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League, where he was named league MVP.

He led the team to a Telus Cup national championship and put up jaw-dropping numbers — 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in seven games, six points clear of any other player at the national tournament. 

Sportswave Broadcasting covered the Telus Cup final live from the Chilliwack Coliseum, where Schultz scored the golden goal that clinched the championship, which as impressed as it was we were the only media that was in the press box.

If Schultz’s draft position wasn’t exciting enough, the Pats lit up the draft floor by moving up to pick Liam Pue at No. 3 overall.

Pue, a rare exceptional-status forward, has been on the junior hockey radar for years.

As a 13-year-old, he torched the JPHL 15U level with 64 goals and 104 points in 31 games, and also contributed 14 goals and 22 points in the 17U division. 

This past season, despite playing as a 14-year-old for most of the year, Pue recorded 30 goals and 80 points in 29 games at the 18U level.

I’ve personally called Pue’s games for the last three years and still count his overtime series-winning goal in 2024, which sent Langley to the B.C. JPHL Final, as one of the most thrilling calls I’ve had as a broadcaster. 

Behind his incredible talent, Pue is supported by his parents, Jason and Kristin, who deserve recognition for the commitment and support they’ve given to his development.

Pats assistant GM Dale Derkatch expressed the excitement around adding two elite players in one night, calling it a rare opportunity.

“It’s not every day you get a chance to get two exceptional-status players,” Derkatch said. “I was hearing talk of them playing on two different lines, but how about them playing together — wouldn’t that be nice?”

Derkatch praised Pue’s skating and offensive tools.

“He’s a powerful skater, and not only that, he’s got a shot that’s something to die for — he can really rip it,” he said. “With him and Maddox together, they’ll be two guys who play the game the right way and play hard.”

Alan Miller Pats GM Alan emphasized that the team will work closely with the Schultz and Pue families to balance the players’ development.

Miller mentioned “We’re going to want to work with them and their families in terms of making sure we’re doing the right things in terms of their development.”

He continued “There’s a balance to how much time they’re playing, when they’re practising with us, and when they’re playing for the under-18 teams.”

If Schultz and Pue crack the lineup as 15-year-olds, they will become full-time WHLers in 2026-27 when they turn 16.

Fans are already imagining the dynamic duo on the same line, though the two centremen may need to decide who shifts over to wing.

On behalf of Sportswave Broadcasting, congratulations go out to Maddox, Liam, and their families. The Regina Pats’ future looks bright — and hockey fans across the Prairies will be watching closely.

Note From the peanut gallery:

If you think watching Bedard was exciting, wait till you catch these two in action both on the same  line as well as the PP.

Excitement plus!!!!!!!!!