‘Went to work’: Pats swing big in first round of WHL prospects draft

Regina Pats general Manager Alan Millar speaks following the first round of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft on May 7, 2025 (Donovan Maess)

The Regina Pats took a big swing in the first round of the 2025 WHL prospects draft Wednesday night.

Regina held the first overall selection of the draft after winning last month’s draft lottery, where they selected local product Maddox Schultz.

“We’re building a foundation of very good young players and very good people,” Pats’ general manager Alan Millar told reporters after the first round Wednesday night.

“Getting to know [Schultz] and family and their passion for the Regina parks and the city and how they followed the team and cheered the team for years is a great bonus for the local club,” he added.

Schultz said joining the Pats is a dream come true.

“Not a lot of players get to live that,” he told reporters following the draft Wednesday. “I’m really lucky.”

“I like the fans, too. They’re going to be great and seeing what they did for Connor [Bedard], I hope they can do the same for me,” Schutlz added.

Shortly after drafting Schultz, Millar swung a deal with the Kelowna Rockets to acquire the third overall pick in the draft. The Pats then used the pick to draft Langley, B.C.’s Liam Pue, who was also expected to be taken high in the 2025 draft.

“When we knew Liam was going to be available at three and that pick was available, we went to work,” the GM said. “Gutsy, I don’t know, but I hope it’s a smart one. I certainly believe it is.”

To get Pue, the Pats sent the 2025 26th overall pick, as well as its first-round selections in 2026 and 2027 to the Rockets.

“That’s my responsibility, that’s our job [to] look at those opportunities and be able to capitalize on [them],” Millar said. “Because of the draft capital we built, I feel really good we were able to put it together.”

Pue played the 2024-25 season with the Langley Hockey Academy’s U18 team, recording 30 goals and 20 assists in 29 regular season games before adding 12 more points in six playoff games, including 10 goals.

He told CTV News Thursday being drafted by the Pats was a special feeling.

“[Trading up for me] shows they wanted me and that is a big thing for,” Pue added. “I wanted the team that wanted me for who I am and the player that I am. So, that meant a whole lot.”

Pue and Schultz have the same representation at Newport Sports Management.

The two forwards have attended camps together in recent years, as well as played against each other, but they say they have never played on the same team before.

Schultz also called his new teammate immediately after the news broke Pue had also been drafted by the Pats.

“We’re really good friends,” Schultz said. “We’ve really bonded over these last couple of years, and him to be drafted by the same team as me, it’s obviously really special.”

“We were both in shock, ‘like, did that really just happen?” Pue said. “We were both over the moon and we just can’t wait to play together.”

Similar to Schultz, Pue will also be eligible to play up to 34 games as a 15-year-old as part of new league development rules.

Regina held a total of three picks in the first round of Wednesday’s draft.

With the 23rd overall pick, the team selected forward Logan Henry from Burnaby Winter Club’s U15 Prep program.

“We couldn’t pass up Logan Henry at 23,” Millar said. “On draft day, were very focused on a defenseman at 23, obviously with, you know what we got at one and three and it just it just where our list was at.”

The Prince George, B.C. product, 14, recorded 51 points (32G-19A) in 31 games with Burnaby Winter Club.

“I’m super excited to be part of such a great organization,” Henry said. “I’ve heard great things about the fans and about the arena.”

Henry also spent the last week playing on the same line with Pue at a tournament in Philadelphia.

“We played so good together,” Henry said. “[The Pats] chose me to go along with Liam, and I’m super happy we get to be on the same team.”

“We complement each other so well,” Pue said about his new teammate. “When I saw he got picked, I was pretty stoked that I’m going to have a buddy to go to Regina with.”

Pats’ assistant general manager, Dale Derkatch, hinted the three forwards may end up playing on a line together in the future.

“Let’s throw those three guys on the line and see what happens,” Derkatch joked.

“That would be surreal,” Henry said. “Us three will be a sick future and it’s a dream to play with two very skilled guys like them.”

“We could do some pretty unbelievable things with this organization,” Pue hoped. “It’s all a step in the right direction. And I’m so excited to be able to have these two by my side.”

“From now on, you’re really kind of dedicating your life to this team and just trying your best to go win a Memorial Cup,” he added.

Millar stressed patience with the development of his three newest players but is hopeful for a bright future ahead for the organization.

“We’re going to do what we can to be very to be competitive next year,” he said. “We built that draft capital to use it wisely to put our club in the best position to get better and to have a chance to win a championship one day.”

-With files from Drew Postey.