Regina Pat Canadians claim male U18 AAA hockey title

The Regina Pat Canadians are now the top male U18 AAA team in the province – and will advance to the west regional playoffs for the Telus Cup.

The club defeated the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors 3-1 on Thursday night at the Co-operators Centre to claim the team’s first SMAAAHL title since 2017.

“I’m speechless honestly. I’m so proud of these guys. Everyone played their role,” said 18-year-old goaltender Taylor Tabashniuk, who stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced in the contest.

“The job’s not finished. I’m sure you’ll hear that a lot, but the job’s not finished.”

Around 1,600 people were at the arena to see the final game between the two clubs. Regina won both previous games in the series 2-1 before winning the third game to clinch the best-of-five series.

Along with the possibility of seeing the championship won, fans were also out to see 15-year-old Maddox Schultz. Schultz, who led the U18 league in scoring in the regular season (43 goals, 50 assists) and in the playoffs (nine goals, 13 assists) as an underage player, is expected to have his name called as early as number one in the upcoming WHL Bantam Draft.

“There was a lot of people in the crowd tonight,” Schultz said. “It was good we got the win for them.”

Regina Pat Canadians forward Maddox Schultz led the SMAAAHL playoffs with 22 points. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

After the game, friends and family of the players took to the ice. Schultz was a popular person during the celebration, with young children wanting to get his autograph.

He recalled getting autographs himself, from Regina Pats players like Sam Steel, Jordan Eberle, and Connor Hobbs.

“It’s pretty cool to be that guy,” Schultz said.

The Edmonton Oil Kings (by having control of the Moose Jaw Warriors’ first-round pick), Regina Pats, and Kelowna Rockets all have a chance at winning the number one overall pick, as a club can only move up two spaces in the draft order.

“I’m keeping an eye on it, but since the start of playoffs I had to be focused on the playoffs, because that’s what really matters most,” said Schultz, who had two assists in the win. “Whatever happens happens. I’m excited for the next series.”

The game started off on the right foot for the Pat Canadians. Just 6:12 into the opening frame, forward Chase Surkan scored a goal and brought the home crowd to their feet.

“(The crowd) helped a bunch. They were so loud every night. That definitely helped us,” Surkan said.

Just over a minute later, the Pat Canadians scored the second of the period, with Reid Bechard beating Moose Jaw goaltender Luke McKechnie.

Moose Jaw got onto the board in the second period when Gage Nagel scored on the first half of a double-minor penalty against the Pat Canadians. But that was the only goal Moose Jaw scored in the contest.

Eli Johnson scored on the powerplay in the third period to extend the lead, which Regina didn’t give up.

Despite taking three penalties in the contest, Regina never panicked, even when Moose Jaw started to apply more pressure.

“The emotions are high, including myself,” said head coach Ryan Hodgins. “At the end of the day, you have to try to keep those emotions in check, and they did. There are some highs and some lows, and for the most part they stayed pretty even-keel.”

Next up for the Pat Canadians will be a trip to Kenora, Ont. for the regional showdown. The Pat Canadians, Kenora Thistles, Thunder Bay Kings, and Winnipeg Wild will battle it out for the right to play in the Telus Cup tournament, the national male U18 AAA championship.

“I love this team’s chances. They never give up. They do anything to win. It’s huge when they are playing like that in front of me,” Tabashniuk said. “I love this team. I have so much confidence in them.”

Its going to be standing room only at the Co-operators Arena.

The Regina Pat Canadians hold a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five showdown against the Moose Jaw Winmar warriors.

The U18 male AAA Sask. trophy is on the line! pic.twitter.com/TnljCUBWCy

— The Green Zone (@GreenZoneSK) March 28, 2025