Regina Pats win WHL Draft lottery, can select top prospect Maddox Schultz

Top junior hockey prospect Maddox Schultz can stay home in Regina when he begins play in the WHL.

The Regina Pats won the WHL Prospects Draft lottery on Thursday, and figure to pick the homegrown forward with the first overall pick on May 7.

Schultz, who turned 15 last month, 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 is playing this season for the Regina Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League. He was named league MVP and has led the Canadians to the Telus Cup national championship later this month in Kenora, Ont.

The WHL Pats are very familiar with having high-profile prospects after being the junior home of Connor Bedard.

The Pats had the second-best odds to win the draft lottery behind the Edmonton Oil Kings.

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.”