Regina Pats' general manager Dale Derkatch explains why he did not make any trades at the WHL trade deadline.
"Teams really weren't interested in picks when you were trying to get their players," Derkatch said on the SportsCage. "Teams like Red Deer, Lethbridge, Swift Current, they want in return a young player that can help them now, and they know what they're getting."
Before the deadline, Derkatch issued a statement about trading Julien Maze to the Calgary Hitmen on December 15, 2025 for two third-round WHL Prospect Draft picks in 2027 and 2028.
A message from Pats general manager Dale Derkatch following today's trade:#BlueRunsDeep | #ReginaPatsHockey pic.twitter.com/JgNprawTDy
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) December 15, 2025
"Our plan moving forward is to use the draft picks and assets acquired in this trade, along with additional draft capital we've accumulated over the past two years, to strengthen our team prior to the January trade deadline," Derkatch said. "Our goal from the start of the season was to make the playoffs, and that remains the focus."
Derkatch elaborated on how the trade deadline went for him and his team.
"We wanted to add to the roster, if we could, without subtracting anything today to try to get into the playoffs. When you're in the position we were in, every time we tried to add a player, in return those teams wanted one of our young players, and we weren't willing to give up that for the future. That's really how it went," Derkatch said.
"Every time someone — contending teams — would want a player from us, they didn't have anyone to give you back because they're going for it. So we were in a really strange spot."
The Pats are battling for a playoff spot and the last time Regina made it to the postseason was in 2022-2023.
"If we play the way we can with the players we have — I believe in them — we can get into the playoffs this year, which would be a step in the right direction," Derkatch said.
Derkatch explained to fans the rule that prevented him from trading certain players.
"You can't trade the players that are born in 2009 or 2010 if they're signed, you can't, that's the rule. But in our [2008s], we have some good players, and those are the type of players that can step in right now and help teams. They are good players, so we weren't willing to part with them," Derkatch said.
"Here's the other side: we have players who've been here. We've had coaches who've been here for two years or so and have had tough years. We've sold off the last couple of years. This is an opportunity for them to make the playoffs with a group that I feel can, and we had to give them that chance. I didn't want to take away from today's roster."
The Pats sit eighth place in the Eastern Conference after defeating the Red Deer Rebels 5-2 on Friday.
Regina's next game is Saturday, the Pats travel to Brandon to take on the Wheat Kings. Make sure to catch the pre-game show with Dante De Caria at 5:30 p.m., followed by puck drop at 6 p.m. on 620 CKRM.
