Pats select teenage phenom Maddox Schultz No. 1 in WHL Prospects Draft
Maddox Schultz is staying home.
Maddox Schultz is staying home.
The Regina Pats selected the homegrown forward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft on Wednesday.
Schultz, who turned 15 in March, was considered a strong candidate to apply for exceptional-player status, which would have allowed him to play an entire season in the WHL next year (drafted players usually must wait a full year for a full season). But Schultz and his family have opted to enter the league under the new Western Canadian Development Model, which allows a player to play up to 34 regular-season WHL games if they have played up an age in minor hockey.
Schultz played for the Regina Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League this season. He was named league MVP and led the Canadians to a Telus Cup national championship. Over his obscene Telus Cup run, he had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in seven games, which led the field by six points.
Schultz told the Regina Leader-Post in January that playing at home in the WHL wouldn’t be a bad thing.
“I think for my family, it would be preferable for them if I play in Regina, but to me, it doesn’t really matter,” said Schultz. “Obviously, being in Regina would be really cool.
“But you know, if it pans out that I have to go somewhere, that’s OK with me.
“Being a part of that league next year or one day would be absolutely an honour. I’m looking forward to it.”
Moose Jaw Warriors scout Todd Ripplinger wasn’t shy about comparing Schultz to a somewhat famous hockey player in an interview with CBC last month.
“He’s built like Crosby, he can score like Crosby, gets in tight around the net,” Ripplinger said. “His shot is so, so hard and strong already for a 14-year-old, but his biggest attribute is his skating.”
The Pats finished the 2024-25 season second last in the Eastern Conference with a 16-44 record.
