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Maddox Schultz has taken the hockey world by storm, putting up 93 points with the U-18 AAA Regina Pat Canadians as an underager and being chosen first overall by the Regina Pats in the 2025 Western Hockey League Draft.
But to Vicki and David Schultz, Maddox is just their 15-year-old son living out his wildest dreams.
“All you want for your kids is for them to be happy,” said Vicki.
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“This is all he ever wants to do,” said David. “Like a lot of kids, they have a dream and there’s something that they want to accomplish and I think Maddox would tell you this is a step in what he hopes will be a future for him.”
Schultz has continued to see the media attention and hockey hype grow in the 2024-25 hockey season.
His most recent on the ice highlight was his overtime game-winner in the Telus Cup Final.
THE #TELUSCUP-WINNING GOAL FROM MADDOX SCHULTZ!
LE BUT GAGNANT DE MADDOX SCHULTZ POUR LE TITRE DE LA #COUPETELUS!
@aaapatcanadians | @hockeysask pic.twitter.com/XRM7q50TaA
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) April 28, 2025
Ahead of that tournament it was revealed that the Regina Pats would select him first overall in the WHL draft, meaning that that Schultz would get to stay home with his family as he takes the next step in his hockey career.
“We were pretty surprised when the (Pats) logo came up,” said Vicki. “But I think I screamed anyway, I was pretty happy.”
“I didn’t hear (Vicki) because I was screaming (too),” laughed David. “What an opportunity to have him play for the team he’s always cheered for in the city he’s growing up in.”
“Your true feelings come out in that moment, and the whole house we were jumping up and down.”
While the Schultz family was in Chilliwack, B.C., for the Telus Cup, they spoke with the Regina Pats, and David said the conversation was very reassuring.
“We got (told) just go enjoy things in Chilliwack and we’ll talk when you get home,” he said. “Just to alleviate some of the feelings that we were having.”
Then came draft day on Wednesday and Maddox Schultz heard his name called, but just before the draft he got a message from one of his idols and former Pat Connor Bedard, now with Chicago Blackhawks.
: Welcome to the first overall pick club, Maddox!
Former Pats first overall picks Connor Bedard and Colten Teubert have a message for you
#WHLDraft pic.twitter.com/g3xF4X7sAx
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) May 7, 2025
“He’s looked up to Connor (Bedard) since he knew who he was,” said Vicki. “When he saw that message his face (and) his eyes lit up, I mean that’s his idol.”
“Maddox had a chance to meet him when he was little and Connor treated him so well,” said David. “When you’re on the other side of it and you see your heroes supporting you … he didn’t have to do that and he took time out of his day to send that message.”
Schultz grew up as a Pats fan so his family is very happy to see him put on their sweater.
From being a Pats fan, to being a Pat
It was just meant to be for Maddox Schultz! pic.twitter.com/nvUDbUKLo2
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) May 9, 2025
“To be able to play in this rink where he’s watched so many great players, and we’ve had so many special moments,” said David.
“I remember sitting up there in between periods — Max (Maddox) has his mini sticks and him and his buddies are gonna go take the knees right out of their tracksuits and then rush back to sit in the stands to watch the Pats play again.”
“Those are moments that we have as a family (and) we’re going to get some new ones next year and then (in) the foreseeable future.”
Schultz didn’t apply for exceptional status but under a new WHL rule he can play up to 34 games with the Pats as a 15 year old.
From left, Pats GM Alan Millar, Maddox Schultz and assistant GM Dale Derkatch. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
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