Maddox Schultz, 14, setting the pace in U18

Later this season, 14-year-old Maddox Schultz is expected to have his name selected high in the WHL Bantam Draft. It’s the result of a lot of hard work both on the ice and also inside his parents’ garage.

“There are late nights I got to go to bed. I got to move the vehicles back in the driveway. I told the story earlier – he was shooting in the driveway and ripped the puck off our neighbour’s Subaru. So then we moved him into the garage and put some particle board behind the net – I’ve got one of those big enclosed nets that have the extranet,” his dad David Schultz said. “He blew holes through the netting and through the particle board, through the sheathing, blew out the stucco, put holes through our glass door in the garage. Our garage looks like a war zone, but for him, I think it’s almost a point of pride.

“His idols, like Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby beat the snot out of their garages or their dryers or whatever they were shooting on. He doesn’t feel bad for that at all.”

He’s also finding major success playing in a league where he is one of the youngest to lace up the skates. He is playing in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League U18 for the Pat Canadians. Not only does he not appear out of place during games, but the forward leads all skaters with 52 points in just 26 contests.

“It’s been awesome. Coming in as an underage player, I don’t think I view myself as that underage player. I think I fit in pretty well, but playing with some better players helps. It’s been a good start,” Maddox said.

Schultz isn’t a stranger to the league. He was given the ability to play five games with the club last season, scoring a goal and an assist over the course of five contests.

Maddox Schultz is expected to be a top draft pick in the 2025 WHL Bantam Draft. (Regina Pat Canadians/Submitted)

“It helped a ton. Playing last year, we had Casey Brown as the captain. He, you know, took me in and helped me through being (a call-up) and obviously being the youngest by a mile. But he helped me when I came in first and it’s just translated pretty well this year,” Maddox said.

Schultz scored 134 points in 27 games with the U-15 Regina Pat Blues. He was granted exceptional status by Sask. Hockey to play full-time in the U-18 league this season.

WHL Draft nears for Schultz

With Maddox expected to be a top pick this season for the WHL, he could seek exceptional status from Hockey Canada if he and his family deem that as the right move for his development.

Due to a new Western Canadian Development Model by Hockey Canada, since Maddox was granted exceptional status by Hockey Sask., he is eligible to play up to 34 games as a 15-year-old in the WHL.

Maddox Schultz has found success on the ice began at a young age. (David Schultz/Submitted)

“I think there’s gonna be a lot of pressure on me. I think I’ve been having pressure on me my entire life but it’s one of those things you just have to block out and focus on hockey because that’s the biggest thing and focus on the game. I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of that so far,” Maddox said.

One of the things he is looking to show scouts this year is his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team get a win.

“I just think it’s my willingness to win and compete with the best. Also, put the puck in the net when my teammates are relying on me, and when the team needs a goal, I think I can step up in that big situation and score or make a play – whether that’s making a big hit, moving a puck, just playing good D-zone. I think when the team needs the best play, I’m good for it,” Maddox said. “Even at home, when I was a young child playing against my dad in mini-sticks, I always wanted to win and that confidence just keeps growing as you get older.

“I still remember going to my little red Canada jersey flying around. I’ve just kind of worked on my skills all the way through. My dad’s helped me with my skating and working on puck every day.”

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David and his wife have been big contributors to Maddox’s success not just by being supportive parents but using their expertise as high-level figure skating coaches to help him fine-tune those skills and how to mentally prepare as well.

“We talk about if you want an outcome, then you got to dial back from that outcome all the way back to today – What it is you’re going to do to get yourself there. So that is getting enough rest, it’s eating well, it’s drinking enough water. But then it’s every single night going into your room and stretching before you go to bed because you know that’s going to help you with recovery,” David said. “It’s going to help you with injury prevention. It’s making sure when we’re going out to eat that you make good, healthy decisions.

“He’s still a 14-year-old kid, right? He can probably eat whatever he wants, but he chooses knowing that this is how I feel good every day.

Then he puts himself to bed knowing that he needs that rest because the days are long. A young athlete with a lot of expectations on him, he doesn’t have a lot of downtime so he realizes at night, he’s got to take some of that downtime and get some rest and recovery.”

Last year, Maddox was able to see his friend and teammate Chase Surkan get drafted by the Brandon Wheat Kings 14th overall.

Maddox Schultz is predicted to be one of the top picks in the 2025 WHL Bantam Draft. (David Schultz/Submitted)

“He’s one of my best friends, and him going first round, 14th overall, to Brandon was pretty cool to watch. I remember sitting at school, and my teacher let me put it on and just watching it. I think I jumped up and did a little fist bump to my buddy at school,” Maddox said.

Now this year, he could achieve his own dream of getting drafted into the WHL.

“It’s cool. Watching the WHL my whole life and as a young child throwing on Pats games and going to Pats games, it’s cool to maybe be in that scenario one time and it’s right around the corner, so I’m excited for it,” Maddox said.

And seeing the joy on Maddox’s face is worth any damage to the garage.

“My wife and I will clean the garage. We’ll fix the garage later,” David said.