Maddox Schultz finding his groove with Pats, scores first WHL hat trick

Maddox Schultz is making some history for the WHL’s Regina Pats.

The 15-year-old forward became the youngest Pats player to score a hat trick in team history. He scored early in the second period, tied the game with just 18 seconds left in regulation and then scored the overtime winner in a 7-6 win over the Blades in Saskatoon on Feb. 11.

“Obviously, Saskatoon and Regina is a pretty big rivalry so I don’t think there were any hats thrown,” the WHL first overall pick told The Green Zone on Thursday. “It felt really good (the other night) and lately I’ve been finding my rhythm so it feels really good.”

Due to this being his 15-year-old season in the WHL, he is only allowed to play in 34 games with the Pats while doing double duty with the Regina Pat Canadians in the U18 Saskatchewan men’s AAA hockey league. It’s a schedule both he and Liam Pue, the third overall pick by the Pats this past draft, are both doing.

“It’s been different. This is the first time anyone has ever done this new model. For me and Liam, it has been really fun and going through it together has been really special, getting to know each other even more. Over these next two years, we will be together a lot,” Schultz said. “For me and him to go through it together and play in the same games, play in different games but still be there for each other, it’s really cool.”

Schultz, who is from Regina, had six points in his first 12 games in the WHL but now has 10 points in his last eight appearances.

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“At the start of the year I was still finding my groove. Going to that U17 world challenge helped me a ton. Getting to lead that team to a silver medal — obviously didn’t get what we wanted — but to go there helped me get some confidence,” Shultz said. “I thought there was a lot of positives that came out of that tournament. For me and Liam, him having a good tournament as well helped us exceptionally.

“When I came back, I got a minor concussion, which changed how I wanted the next few games to go. I thought I did a good job of staying in the gym, going to (the Pats’ shooting coach) and shooting pucks there as the Pats were on their road trip.”

He eventually scored his first WHL goal on Dec. 13 against the Kelowna Rockets.

“After that one, it just kept coming along and it felt unbelievable to score that first one. Kind of just kept coming after that,” Schultz said.

While he’s been busy with time split between the Pats and Pat Canadians, he’s still finding time to watch the Canadian men’s and women’s Olympic teams go for gold in Italy.

“I’m paying so much attention to it,” Schultz said. “The talent on (the men’s team) is insane … super excited to watch them at this year’s Olympics.”

Schultz is hopeful to one day get to wear the Maple Leaf on the international stage as he continues on in his hockey career.

“I got the chance to do it in November and I can’t explain the feeling that comes through your mind when you put on that jersey,” Schultz said. “It’s crazy when you step out there for that first warm-up and tears come to your eyes almost — it’s crazy. I can’t imagine what that men’s team is feeling when they put on that Olympic jersey.”