Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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A very busy hockey season got underway for Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue this week.
The Regina Pats’ first-round draft picks have already played two WHL road games. On Tuesday, the two played for the Regina Pat Canadians as the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League team kicked off its 2025-26 season.
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“It’s been kind of crazy going back and forth and from team to team, but I’m digging it so far,” said Schultz, who was the first overall pick in the WHL Draft. “I think it’s really fun. I have a lot of teammates this year, so that’s also an upside.”
He said he has nothing but positive things to say about the Pats.
“They have been great to me and Liam, and when you come back to your own team it has been fun.”
Pue, who was the third overall pick in the draft, has been allowed to join the Pat Canadians while he also plays with the WHL club this season.
“It’s chaotic. A lot of hockey with the Pats and the Pat Cs. It’s exciting and fun,” Pue said.
Pat Canadians head coach Ryan Hodgins said both Schultz and Pue are great additions to the club.
“Any time those guys can be here, it’s big for our club,” Hodgins said. “They are busy guys. We work well with the Pats and both (of us are) fortunate to have them and work together. Whenever we can have them, it’s great.”
Due to both Schultz and Pue being granted exceptional status by their provincial hockey bodies to play in their respective U18 leagues, they will both be allowed to play 34 games in the WHL as 15 year olds.
Both played in Regina’s opening WHL games – away contests against the Swift Current Broncos and Medicine Hat Tigers.
Despite the Pats losing both games, each of the contests were special for Pue and Schultz.
For Pue, he scored his first WHL goal in his first game in the league.
“It was pretty sweet. It felt good to get the first one out of the way quick, because that can hold onto you for a while. It feels good,” Pue said.
Meanwhile, Schultz said he remembers going to games in Medicine Hat when he was younger, so it was special to play in that arena.
“It’s a dream to play in that league, and now that I’ve gotten a few games in it’s obviously real special. That game in Medicine Hat was super special to me,” Schultz said.
The pair will be in the Pats’ lineup on Friday when the WHL club plays in its home opener at the Brandt Centre against the Prince Albert Raiders. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
“Hopefully we can get our first win of the season,” Schultz said.
The Pat Canadians, who are the reigning Telus Cup champions, will look to defend their title this season. Regina will host the west regionals of the national tournament this season.
“Looking forward to that regionals for sure, and hopefully we can capture another Telus Cup,” Schultz said.
The Pat Canadians started on the right foot, earning a 5-3 win over the Estevan Innovex Bears.
Schultz opened the scoring 6:27 into the first frame on a power play, but Boston Schmidt scored to tie things at one for Estevan. After Regina’s Eli Heroux scored shorthanded a few minutes later, Estevan’s Rhett Amberson tied things up once again.
In the second period, Nathan Gardiner scored a pair of goals, which were assisted by Schultz and Pue.
Regina’s Malaki Martin added a goal in the third period, as did the Bears’ Gunner Moore.
“It’s good to win,” Hodgins said. “It’s a big win. Estevan has a good team. We knew they would be good. We have stuff to work on, but always good to come out with two points.”
