Maddox Schultz headlines Sask. invites to Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup training camp

One of the top junior hockey tournaments in the world could feature plenty of Saskatchewan talent on the ice in Edmonton next month.

Hockey Canada announced its U18 training camp roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Wednesday, with four Saskatchewan players earning an invite.

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Regina Pats star Maddox Schultz will lead the Saskatchewan contingent at Team Canada’s training camp, along with Brandon Wheat Kings forward Chase Surkan, Edmonton Oil Kings forward Kayden Stroeder and Wenatchee Wild defenceman Boston Tait.

Schultz, who was drafted first overall by his hometown Pats in 2025, split his 2025-26 season between the Western Hockey League and Saskatchewan U18 AAA levels with the Regina Pat Canadians.

The 16 year old averaged nearly a point per game in his first WHL season, with 15 goals and 29 points in 34 games, while he dominated the U18 level with 30 goals and 60 points in just 21 games.

Schultz is one of two Regina products set to head to Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with his Pat Canadians teammate Chase Surkan also getting the chance to potentially wear the maple leaf for Canada.

Surkan is coming off his first junior season with the Wheat Kings, where he hit the 20-goal plateau with 38 points in 45 games.

Saskatoon’s Stroeder landed on Hockey Canada’s radar after he netted 13 goals and 32 points in 55 regular-season games for Edmonton, before adding another five points in six playoff games.

As for Tait, the Estevan product made an impact in his rookie season in the WHL with Wenatchee, finishing second on his team in scoring by a defenceman, with 23 points in 62 games.

All four players previously represented Canada at the U17 World Challenge last year in Truro, N.S.

They’ll be joined at Team Canada’s training camp by Schultz’s Regina teammate Liam Pue, as well as Brock Cripps and Ben Harvey, two young stars for the Prince Albert Raiders.

Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald will also make his Hlinka Gretzky Cup debut, as he was named an assistant coach on Ryan Oulahen’s bench.

Hockey Canada will cut the 27-player roster down to 25 prior to the first game of the tournament.

Training camp for Team Canada will run from July 27 to Aug. 2 in Edmonton. Canada’s tournament begins on Aug. 3 with a game against Switzerland.