By Ryan Kennedy, Editor in Chief

No matter what Maddox Schultz does, big hockey names tend to be connected.

The Regina Pats took Schultz with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WHL draft; the last time the Pats picked first, they took Connor Bedard in 2020. When Schultz ripped the U-18 Telus Cup for 20 points in seven games this spring, he tallied the second-most points ever in the tournament by an underager; Sidney Crosby is the only underage player to have scored more. When Schultz watches the NHL, he cheers for the Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. And when the 15-year-old center is studying players to emulate, he leans on two of the best 200-foot pivots ever. “Two guys that really stood out for me were Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron,” he said. “They were really good on faceoffs. Even Brayden Point and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins now. They can play an all-around good game and also produce at the highest level.”

Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Tony Ferrari discuss the Islanders taking Matthew Shaefer with the first-overall pick.

So yes, there’s plenty to get excited about when it comes to Schultz, who will be eligible to play up to 34 games in the WHL next season while spending the rest of the year with the U-18 Regina Pat Canadians, the same squad with whom he won the Telus Cup. Oh, and he scored the tournament-winning goal in OT at that event, too.

It hasn’t been that long since Bedard was the big ticket in Regina, but what’s cool about Schultz landing with the Pats is that he’s from the city and got to watch Bedard weave his magic for the club. “I was probably 12 years old and playing on the Regina Pat Blues,” Schultz said. “Our team went all the time. Seeing what he did made me try harder. It was pretty cool to grow up watching him, and, obviously, he’s an unbelievable player doing his thing in the NHL now.”

Getting drafted by his hometown team also affords Schultz the opportunity to live at home with his family, a luxury rarely afforded in high-level hockey. “To be drafted by the Pats was a dream come true,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier. My parents are really excited. And I am, too, being able to stay at home with them and my sister and my dog. I’m playing in the rink I grew up watching hockey in.”

Maddox Schultz (Ethan Cairns/Hockey Canada Images)

Regina will gladly welcome a player of Schultz’s talent, even if he’s only eligible to play half the season next year. The Pat with the most points in 2024-25 was Julien Maze, who managed just 44 points in 64 games overall – and only 25 points in 43 games after coming over from Everett. Meanwhile, Schultz had 43 goals and 93 points in 44 games for the Pat Canadians despite being the youngest player on the team – three years younger than some of his mates.

Schultz knows the WHL will offer stronger and tougher competition, so he’s working on being harder in the faceoff circle. Otherwise, he’s happy to contribute any way he can to win games for his new team. “I’m a 200-foot player with offense, but I can also be relied on in the defensive zone,” he said. “I can put the puck in the back of the net and be a leader. I like to stand up for my teammates and be there for them.”

This article appeared in our 2025 Draft Preview issue. Our cover story focuses on the Erie Otters' star defenseman and top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer, who has excelled despite the personal losses of his past. We also include features on other top prospects, including Michael Misa and more. In addition, we give our list of the top-100 prospects heading into the 2025 NHL draft.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

Mad About Maddox: How Prospect Maddox Schultz Looks To Channel Inner Bedard With Regina Pats