The Green Zone: Maddox Schultz recalls whirlwind Telus Cup win

Maddox Schultz has had quite a busy few weeks.

After the 15-year-old Regina product led the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League in scoring and helped the Regina Pat Canadians win the provincial title, he excelled on the national stage.

Schultz, who is expected to be the first overall pick in the WHL Draft in May, led the Telus Cup with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and was named the tournament MVP. It’s tied for the fourth-most ever in a single tournament.

He also scored the overtime winner in the 3-2 win for the title.

That performance led to the Regina Pat Canadians claiming their fifth gold medal at the tournament and first since 1999.

The hockey phenom spoke with The Green Zone with Jamie Nye and Locker on Monday, just hours after getting off the plane back in Regina after the tournament.

Listen to Maddox Schultz on The Green Zone:

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

The Green Zone: How many times have you been practicing that in the backyard or elsewhere — an OT winner to win the championship?

Maddox Schultz: All the time on the driveway, shooting pucks and doing celebrations after I put in the net. It’s something you dream of. It was pretty cool that we got the job done.

Did that goal mean more because of how tight-knit the group was this year?

Schultz: Absolutely, I think we were really close-knit group this year, and we all play for that crest on the front and not the name on the back. We’re just really tight and just heading into that overtime, we knew we needed a spark. We got the job done, so it was all around a great effort and a great weekend.

Did your celebration match what you practiced? Or do you just black out when that puck goes in and you barely remember what happened?

Schultz: I didn’t plan that at all. I think it’s better not to plan it, just because things could go south if you do. As soon as that puck went in, I just kind of threw my gloves off, and I was going to go right to my goalie, but then the team was coming off the bench yelling, ‘We did it,’ so that was pretty cool.

HERE IS THE WINNER!!! @aaapatcanadians pic.twitter.com/fY90wsOYUO

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

I’m thinking that the coaches probably had that Quebec team as the team to beat. What did you learn about what they were doing on the ice when you were playing them that prepared you for beating them in the final?

Schultz: They’re a fast, skilled team; they move pucks well, they get on the forecheck and they can also put the puck in the net. At the start of that round-robin game, we got down pretty significantly there. We knew we needed to have a good start and I think we did in that final game. So I think that really propelled us moving forward into that game.

How much credit do you give goaltender Taylor Tabashniuk?

Schultz: We needed him all year. He’s been great for us. We love him, I love him, he’s someone we rely on back there. For him to do it on one of the biggest stages in Canada, it was pretty cool for him to show himself.

Do you have any techniques to shake off any nerves?

Schultz: Nerves are inevitable. They’re going to come with every game. So even in the biggest of moments, I think you just got to take deep breaths, think about what got you here, just reflect and then you get your mind back to normal. I think that’s probably the biggest strategy that I have.

Take us to a gold medal game — what is that like on the bench?

Schultz: If we’re sitting down, we’re probably just resting and pretty gassed. We just had to keep the positivity high. It’s really loud in that rink — their fans, our fans, horns going — I think we just had to stick tight as a group and stay collected. I think we did a really good job and got the job done.

Does the head coach bring up milestones like Regina hasn’t won the Telus Cup since 1999. Do you guys hear stuff like that or does he motivate differently?

Schultz: After we won it, he was like, ‘This team hasn’t won it in a very long time. Congrats to you guys.’ His message to us is always to compete and play the way we play and do what got us here. He’s unbelievable. He’s a great coach. All the coaching staff around him, managers, trainers, equipment managers, they’ve been awesome all year in supporting him. I think we’ve done a good job in front of him to support him, too. He’s been awesome for us.

Maddox Schultz had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and was named the tournament MVP at the Telus Cup. (Ethan Cairns/Hockey Canada Images)

How important have mom and dad been to where you are today?

Schultz: They’ve been absolutely incredible. Those are the two people that I absolutely look up to. Those are my people who direct me in the ways that they want me to go. So I think a lot of it is on me, but they put it in front of me. I think they’re just my biggest supporters and I love them with all my heart.

How many holes are in the fence?

Schultz: I think one. My dad did a pretty good job setting everything up. I only managed to find a way past that wood once.

Have there been any conversations about what your summer plans are?

Schultz: I will take it day by day. Lots of workouts, lots of training, but I think after the season, I’m just going to take a couple of weeks off and just enjoy the time and reflect on what a year it’s been. Then just get right back at it.

What has this journey been like in anticipation of next Wednesday (WHL Draft)?

Schultz: I think there’s a huge anticipation. I think it’ll be cool to see where I end up. I’m just really looking forward to it and I think it’ll be a great day.