Pats sign first-round pick in 2022 WHL draft

The Regina Pats have signed their first pick in the 2022 WHL draft.

Cole Temple, whom the Pats selected fifth overall in the annual lottery, signed a WHL standard player agreement Tuesday.

“(The Pats) were probably the team I talked to the most,” Temple, 15, said in a media release. “It’s a great feeling and I’m very excited to get things going, but the job has just started.

“The story is just beginning so I’m excited for what the future holds and what happens next.”

A product of Brandon, Temple led the U15 Winnipeg AAA Hockey League in points (108) and finished second in goals (58) and third in assists (50) this season with the Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA team.

The 5-foot-9, 151-pound forward added 15 goals and 15 assists in 11 playoff games to help his team win a league title.

“I love to score goals, and I’ve always been that kind of guy,” he said. “In front of the net gives you the best chance to score and I’ve always gone to the net.

“I just want to work hard, get better and stronger every day. I just want to push myself to get better.”

Pats head coach and GM John Paddock said he’s reminded of former Pats star Sam Steel when he watches Temple play.

“I think there are a lot of those things in him as far as skating ability and playmaking,” Paddock said. “They’re both that kind of player.

“One was taken at two (overall) and the other at five, but if we were picking at two, we would have taken (Temple). He’s going to be a very good player in this league.”