Regina Pats training camp opens as team looks to build off playoff appearance

The Regina Pats returned to practice, looking to build off their return to the playoffs last season.

Regina had a 25-34-7-2 record last season, which earned the team the seventh seed in the WHL’s East Division. Their season came to an end after losing to the Medicine Hat Tigers in a best-of-seven playoff series 4-1.

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As the team opens training camp Wednesday, they do so with a new bench boss as David Bell, who is preparing for his first season as the Pats’ head coach.

“It was a great accomplishment for them last year to make the playoffs. What we are going for is that’s the standard — make the playoffs. Now we have to make some noise in the playoffs and go deep in the playoffs,” Bell said. “That’s our expectation.”

One reason the team could take those steps is the continued development of both Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue. The highly regarded forwards will play their first full WHL seasons after splitting time with the Regina Pat Canadians and Pats last season.

Both had strong performances at the Gretzky Hlinka tournament in August.

Schultz led the U18 tournament with 10 points, while Pue led the way with six goals as Canada claimed the gold medal.

“It was unbelievable. When you have the chance to play for your country, it’s a special feeling. Throwing on that jersey was incredible, especially in that gold medal game,” Schultz said. “To beat the USA — our biggest rivals — at home with that many people in attendance cheering for us, it was so special and a moment none of the players will ever forget.”

He said it was important for the Pats to experience playoff hockey last season.

“Going into this year, we have high hopes for our group. To get that experience last year was amazing and to carry it into this year, that’s something we are looking to do,” Schultz said.

While this will be the first camp Bell will run since being named the team’s bench boss, after it chose not to extend the contract of Bard Herauf, Bell has been talking to the players throughout the off-season.

One of the main things he wants to see from his group at training camp is a level of competition between the players.

“I’m looking for guys that are competing off the ice in the fitness testing, competing on the ice in the games and good people. Good teammates, good body language, helping your teammates out on and off the ice and being respectful to the staff — the hockey staff, the arena staff, everyone they come in contact with,” Bell said. “Good people with high compete is what I am looking for.”

He believes this group has what it takes to reach those expectations.

“I think Dale (Derkatch) and Tristan (Frei) did a great job of identifying the characters that they need to be winners and to be successful. They have made changes over the last two years and their mentality is excellent,” Bell said.

“Just talking to the players, they want more. They loved the excitement of the playoffs last year and they want more. They understand that it’s hard and it’s going to be hard but they are excited to do hard things this season. Hopefully reap the rewards of a hard training camp and a hard season so that they’re hardened and ready to go in the playoffs.”

On-ice sessions begin Thursday at the Brandt Centre and will be open to the public.

The Blue vs. White game will take place Aug. 30.

The regular season for the Pats begins Sept. 18 against the Prince Albert Raiders.