Day 2 of the Regina Pats training camp took place on Thursday. The players were split into squads, jumping into 5 on 5 competition a little bit earlier this time around. “You want to give a good first impression with the team,” said Parker Trottier, who’s attending his first Pats camp. “I’m just here trying to do my best to create relationships with the guys, make plays out there, and kind of gain their trust.” “Obviously, it’s nothing like we’ve had in the last few years, but we needed a change,” said Zach Lansard. “The young guys came ready to go. They’re quick, they’re fast, they’re competitive, and it pushed all of us to another gear. It’s just getting us ready sooner and faster for the season.” Making his return to coaching junior hockey, head coach David Bell looks to take the Pats back to the playoffs in 2027. “This weekend, we went over it and made it real clear: compete, be good teammates, pace, but the biggest thing was compete,” he said. “I didn’t give them any system stuff, so it’s just a matter of winning 50/50 pucks, winning races to pucks, winning net front battles, winning corner battles. It’s all about compete these first three days.” It’s another camp for Maddox Schultz, who split his season with the Pats and the Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA in 2025-26. “Playing on one team is probably better than two, just kind of having your focus on one thing,” he said. “It makes a big difference, going into practice with the same guys every day, going to war with the same guys every day and creating that surrounding bond like Bellzy [David Bell] wants.” Schultz is coming off of a gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup representing Canada, where he scored 10 points in 5 games. “It was so fun winning gold at home,” said Schultz. “And with the fans in attendance to support, it was amazing. To win gold was a dream come true.” Trottier and Lansard were both draft picks in the 2026 NHL draft. Playing in the United States last season, Trottier has made the transfer to the Pats. “I think I’m a 200 foot player that creates offense with his skating ability and shot, but I think I also make turnovers or force turnovers, and create chances on the odd man rush.” he said. Trottier is the grandson of longtime NHL player Bryan Trottier, who won four Stanley cups with the New York Islanders in the 1980s. Parker was a 6th round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in June, and attended their development camp this summer. Lansard, who’s returning for his third season, was drafted in the 3rd round by the Carolina Hurricanes, who just won their second Stanley Cup this spring. “Their culture is a big thing, it’s not really surprising when you get there that they won a cup,” he said. “The way they work every day and the way they treat each other, it’s really not that surprising. That sort of stuff you take away and try to bring it back and be a leader here in Regina.”
