WHL Draft 2025: Saskatchewan's top hockey talent set to dominate first round
As the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft approaches, all eyes are on Saskatchewan hockey prospects, with Regina's Maddox Schultz expected to go first overall. With multiple high draft picks, Saskatchewan WHL teams like the Pats, Warriors, and Raiders are positioning themselves to secure top-tier talent for the future
Regina's Maddox Schultz, top prospect in the 2025 WHL Draft, dominated at the Telus Cup and is expected to go first overall, leading a strong Saskatchewan draft class
Regina Pats hold top pick in WHL Prospects Draft 2025
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Maddox Schultz headlines a strong Saskatchewan Draft class
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Other Saskatchewan standouts expected to go early
The 2025 WHL Prospects Draft begins Wednesday, May 7 and it's shaping up to be a banner year for Saskatchewan hockey talent . Leading the way is the Regina Pats, who hold the coveted first overall pick for the second time in five years. They last made headlines with the top selection in 2020, drafting future NHL star Connor Bedard.The Pats are loaded with draft capital, also holding the 23rd overall pick and three second-round selections—giving them five picks in the top 50. Other Saskatchewan WHL clubs are poised to strike early, with Prince Albert at 16, Moose Jaw at 18, and Saskatoon at 22. Swift Current, however, will sit out the first round due to a trade with Wenatchee involving Connor Geekie.Also read: PWHL Walter Cup playoffs set to begin; when are the high-stakes semifinal matchups At the center of the buzz is Maddox Schultz, the consensus number one pick, hailing from Regina. According to Elite Prospects, Schultz enters the draft as the top-rated player after a dominant showing at the Telus Cup, where he led all categories—goals (9), assists (11), and points (20)—and secured MVP honors.Schultz also led the SMAAAHL in scoring with 93 points in 44 games and powered the Regina Pat Canadians to national and league championships. Though he opted out of exceptional status, new WHL rules will allow him to appear in up to 34 games in 2025–26.If selected by Regina, Schultz would be the sixth Saskatchewan-born player to go first overall since 2000, joining names like Brayden Coburn and Derrick Pouliot.Schultz isn't the only high-end Saskatchewan WHL draft prospect. Defenseman Ryker Doka, ranked 9th, is a Regina native who impressed with Delta Academy and Notre Dame Hounds, tallying a combined 64 points over two seasons.Also read: Can Canada win gold? Meet the 15 players headed to 2025 IIHF Men's Hockey World Championship Forward Riley Brown from Milestone, Sask., ranks 16th after a 53-point season with Northern Alberta Extreme and a productive stint with Notre Dame.Rounding out the province's top-tier talent is Kash Elke of Lanigan, Sask., who led the SAAHL U15 with 66 points and saw action with the SMAAAHL's Tisdale Trojans.
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