REGINA -- The Regina Pats surprised no one with their first overall pick in the 2025 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft.
What they pulled off moments later was a stunner -- and now their future is as bright as any team in the league.
Moments after the much anticipated selection of Maddox Schultz, the Pats pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Kelowna Rockets to move up to third overall, and with that selection they landed exceptional status player Liam Pue from Langley of the U18 Junior Hockey Prospects League.
Regina sent the 26th overall pick in the 2025 Draft, first round pick in 2026 and first round pick in 2027 to Kelowna in exchange for the right to select Pue.
“It’s not every day you get a chance to get two exceptional status players,” Pats assistant general manager Dale Derkatch said on the VictoryPlus WHL Draft show shortly after Pue’s selection. “I was hearing talk of them playing on two different lines, but how about them playing together, wouldn’t that be nice?”
Schultz’s exploits have been well documented, and you can read about the lead-up to his selection .
Pue made waves himself in Langley the last two seasons. As a 13-year-old playing U15 with Langley Hockey Academy, he had 64 goals and 104 points in 31 games to go along with 14 goals and 22 points in the JPHL U17 league.
Then came this past season when as a 14-year-old for much of the season, Pue would put up 30 goals and 80 points in 29 games.
“We love his skating ability, 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,” Derkatch said. “Not only that, he has a bit of an edge to him, he plays hard and he’ll be a great compliment, with him and Maddox together they’ll be two guys who play the game the right way and play hard.”
As for selecting Schultz, the move was an absolute no brainer given his incredible performances over the last few seasons, including the Telus Cup winning campaign with the Regina Pat Canadians this year.
“I think he’s a great person as well as a great hockey player,” Derkatch said. “Maddox comes to play every game and it doesn’t matter, his consistency is always the same, which is what you look for in a pro player. Whether he’s scoring or not, he plays the same way, so we’re very excited to get a player like that.”
Schultz was welcomed to the team by a host of former team luminaries by video, including their previous exceptional status player in Connor Bedard. That added to the excitement of joining the Pats.
“It something you dream about, growing up and watching the team play,” Schultz said. “It feels pretty special seeing what some of the other guys have done in their careers. Those are my idols and it was a special message… This draft is something special and I’m looking forward to getting started with the Pats. I’m just really hoping I can make something happen out there.”
Needless to say, this makes for exceptionally exciting times for the Pats organizations and their fans.
“It’s our job to have players who bring excitement and obviously winning is what it’s all about,” Derkatch said. “Let’s hope these moves get the Pats in the right direction here and get us moving and help us really fill the Brandt Centre.”
