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Maddox Schultz: Everything to Know About Expected First Overall Pick in 2025 WHL Draft

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Jesse Courville-Lynch | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 9:51 AM ET

The Western Hockey League (WHL) draft lottery has now come and gone, and while the Edmonton Oil Kings had the best odds to select first overall in the 2025 WHL Prospect Draft, they have dropped to second after the Regina Pats won the lottery and will select first. The projected first overall selection is a forward by the name of Maddox Schultz, who has taken the world by storm with his offensive dominance and potential to dominate at the next level. The last time the Pats selected first overall was in 2020 when they selected Connor Bedard.

Schultz, who turned 15 last month, played at the U18AAA level in his hometown of Regina, so it’s only fitting he will likely continue his career at home. With that being said, who is Maddox Schultz? Here is everything you need to know.

Schultz Is Offensively Dominant, Stats Prove It

Schultz began to earn some popularity in the 2023-24 season when he played for the Regina Pat Blues U15AA team, where he exploded offensively. Through just 27 games, he scored 63 goals and added 71 assists for 134 points, which comes out to an insane 4.96 points-per-game average. He also played five games with their U18AAA team, scoring one goal and adding one assist for two points.

This season, he spent the entire campaign with the Regina Pat Canadiens ly e18AAA team, scoring 43 goals and adding 50 assists for 93 points through 44 games, which comes out to a 2.11 points-per-game average. He has a knack for scoring goals and can create opportunities for his teammates with ease. When he eventually transfers over to the WHL, he should have no issue being able to create offensive production right away. He has a naturally hard shot, is incredibly evasive, and can hide his shot well enough to be able to trick defenders and goaltenders into biting where he wants them to go.

Schultz Fits Well With Hometown Pats

Schultz has already drawn incredible comparisons, the most notable being to all-time legendary forward Sidney Crosby. His ability to dominate offensively may overshadow his strength as an all-around forward. While he isn’t the greatest shutdown defensive forward on the planet, he is smart enough to know where to be and plays a sound game in the defensive zone. He stands 5-foot-10, weighs 165 pounds, and skates extremely well. He could improve a bit in terms of adding some physicality to his game, but that should come naturally as he progresses through tougher leagues and against tougher competition.

He should fit in well with the Pats, and it’s safe to assume that’s the team he wanted to win the lottery. The bonus of comfortability, so he can stay in Regina next season, should help his confidence as he tries to translate his game to the next level. Schultz will be trying to develop into a potential NHL draft pick down the line, and heading into the league with a team where he should get a lot of opportunity and have the ability to grow while being one of their key offensive producers at a young age should be a huge bump to his draft stock.

Schultz will likely spend the 2025-26 season at the U18AAA level, with some call-ups to the WHL throughout the season. I would expect him to dominate at that level again and have some success as he gets some experience under his belt when he affiliates with the Pats. He will be a fun player to watch grow, and the Pats should be excited for the success he should be able to bring them.

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