A Franchise-Altering Lottery: WHL Teams Line Up for a Chance at Maddox Schultz
On Thursday, April 10, the fate of one Western Hockey League franchise will change significantly. The WHL Prospect Draft will determine that fate, with the winner earning the right to select super-prospect Maddox Schultz.
Although Schultz recently celebrated his 15th birthday, the Regina native is already on the path to becoming a household name. His journey draws parallels to some of the sport’s legends. Demonstrating exceptional talent, he was granted exceptional status this past season, allowing the 14-year-old to compete full-time in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League U18 (SMAAAHL U18).
Facing opponents up to four years older, he excelled—leading the league with 43 goals, 50 assists, and a total of 93 points in just 44 games. His outstanding performance earned him both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.
Additionally, earlier in the season, Schultz was named MVP at the prestigious Circle K Classic, a recognition previously bestowed upon notable players such as Gavin McKenna, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Landon Dupont.
The 5-foot-10, 165 pound centre has drawn comparisons to Sidney Crosby thanks to his elite speed and skill, tacked on top of a puck-protection, power game that comes around once in a generation. While a lot can happen in three years, this is considered the top 2010-born player on earth and the early favourite to be selected first overall in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft.
To better understand his impact, here is an amended scouting report written by Elite Prospects’ Director of Scouting, Mitch Brown. To read the entire report and others on Schultz, click here.
Maddox Schultz doesn't lose puck battles. It's outrageous. Everyone who enters his space is met with a shoulder or reverse hit, highlighted by one where he crushed an opponent, then went end-to-end shortly after, drove the net, and scored the putaway goal. If it's a 50/50, he leans on the opponent, ties up their stick, and slides in front. He was lining up opponents just about every shift in this game, and he always secures inside position, whether he's winning a race off the wall, getting open inside, or stealing possession on the backcheck. If all else fails, he wins battles on the second or third effort. It directly powers his offensive game. The physical skills allow him to power through contact off the wall. He fakes one way before going the other on retrievals, sets picks, and creates chaos around the net when he doesn't have the puck. In short, the puck-winning and protection skills allow him to rack up a bunch of high-value puck touches that the vast majority of prospects don't get, and ensure that he's always making an impact without possession.
He's also an ultra-high-pace prospect, moving through every reception and pass, when possible. He beats opponents with pure speed, and he can also deceive with his crossovers, angles, and occasional look-offs. Shooting, passing, and handling are all high-end tools. A quick-possession player, he's usually making the next play within a second of getting the puck. That does lead to some missed opportunities as he shoots from a sharp angle or throws a puck into the slot instead of letting the play develop, but it's an overwhelmingly positive -- and projectable -- element. As he rises the ranks, we'll see elite-level offensive plays more frequently -- he has the tools and flashes already at just 14.
Of all the high-end prospects to come up in Western Canada in recent years, he's the most detailed and best physical player, while bringing a similar level of pace. A highly translatable player to the WHL with the skills to lead the league in scoring.
In short, this is a player capable of instantly transforming an organization. Something we’ve begun to see regularly in the West. Connor Bedard. Gavin McKenna. Landon Dupont. And now, Maddox Schultzz.
However, unlike Bedard and DuPont, Schultz will not seek Exceptional Status to join the league full-time at the age of 15. Instead, akin to McKenna, he will pursue a hybrid approach, allowing him to divide his time between the Regina Pat Canadiens U18 team and participating in up to 34 games in the WHL next season.
Since a team can only move up a maximum of two spots in the lottery, only three clubs have the opportunity to acquire Schultz: Edmonton, Regina, and Kelowna. The distribution of the lottery balls is as follows:
- Edmonton Oil Kings (via Moose Jaw) – Six balls
- Regina Pats – Five balls
- Kelowna Rockets – Four balls
The potential storylines nearly write themselves here.
Edmonton was fortunate enough to land their pick in a trade with Moose Jaw in December 2023. The Oil Kings moved forward, Rilen Kovacevic for a package that included Moose Jaw's 2025 1st round pick. While Kovacevic helped Moose Jaw to a WHL championship last season, it would sting to watch that pick turn into a potentially generational talent.
Regina knows how to handle a megastar after helping to develop Bedard, and for Schultz to stay at home in Regina would be tremendous for him, his family, and the local fanbase.
Finally, the Kelowna Rockets are set to host the 2026 Memorial Cup and will be looking to quickly reload for that experience. To have the league’s next marquee player land on the biggest stage in, even at his age, would be a marketing dream. Of note, Schultz (or whoever Kelowna drafts) would be able to join the team for their playoff games once that player's season has ended with their club team.
It should be noted that while Schultz is the crown jewel in this lottery, Langley, BC native Liam Pue is a worthy consolation prize. The recently turned 15-year-old led his JPHL U18 club in scoring and was second in the league with 30 goals and 50 points in just 29 games. Since he played at the U18 level as well, Pue will be available to skate in up to 34 WHL games next year as well.
And so we will wait, along with three fanbases and their managers, to see how the lottery balls shake out. Luck is often a cruel mistress, but on Thursday evening, it will smile down on at least one franchise and set the stage for the next big fish to skate in the WHL.
