It didn’t take long for new Regina Pats coach David Bell to make his mark.
While most WHL teams have a rookie session and practices to start training camp, the Pats went right into full competition mode immediately. That’s thanks to the Brad Hornung Cup, which saw the camp roster broken into four teams and playing a mini-tournament through the first three days.
“We have a lot of exhibition games, but I just think in game situations you can see their IQ. They're competing a little bit better,” Bell said.
“Guys can play in practice drills where they can maybe move real well, but they don't have to really turn their brains on. I want guys with high IQ and I think the best way to see that is through their game analysis and how they break down games and how they break down shifts when they're out there. So, just jump right in.”
You can count third-year Pats veteran and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Zach Lansard as a fan of the new format, especially with how it pushed everyone into game mode right from the start
“It’s nothing like we've had the last few years, but we needed a change,” he said. “The young guys came ready to go. They were quick, they were fast, they were competitive, and it pushed all us to another gear. It's just getting us ready sooner and faster for the season.”
Centre Maddox Schultz is one player everyone has eyes on as he heads into his first full campaign in the WHL after splitting last season between the Pats and the Regina Pat Canadians under-18 AAA team.
Getting things rolling with teammates he’ll be working with full time this season is something he’s looking forward to.
“It makes a big difference going into practice with the same guys every day and going to war with the same guys every day,” Schultz said. “Playing with them and creating that strong bond like we want, like Bellsy wants. So I think it's really exciting.”
One player looking to have a quick impact to start the season is newcomer Parker Trottier. Regina’s 12th overall selection in the 2023 U.S. Priority Draft, Trottier spent the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program in the USHL before a handful of conversations with coach Bell convinced him to play in Regina this season.
The Montreal Canadiens prospect is also a fan of getting into game action so quickly
“It's obviously challenging,” said Trottier, who is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Trottier. “You want to get a good first impression with the team, so you're just trying to do your best to create relationships with the guys or make plays out there and kind of gain their trust.”
One thing that’s for certain is the feel around the team this season. After making the playoffs for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign, the plan is to take a big step and move well up the Eastern Conference rankings.
“A lot of guys had never had playoff experience, including myself and that was some of the best, funnest hockey I've ever played,” Lansard said. “Everyone else on this team wants to do that again and wants to go further. Coming back in the last few days here, everyone's got that chip on their shoulder and that extra edge. Everyone wants to get back there and play there. So it’s going to be a long road, but I'm excited.”
Schultz also has a sense that Regina could be in for something special this season.
“This team's headed in the right direction for sure,” he said. “It's really exciting just seeing everyone kind of has a different vibe from last year. Obviously, making the playoffs was a huge accomplishment. It's huge for our team to kind of build off that. I think everyone's super excited for this season.”
Team Steel had a pair of goals from Keets Fawcett to go along with single markers from Lansard, Tyson Ulmer, Dayton Deschamps and Logan Henry in a 6-3 victory over Team Gillies in the Hornung Cup final.
Dawson Sheehan stopped 10 shots through the first period and a half for Steel, Marek Schlenker had 11 saves the rest of the way.
Schultz, Cody Farrell and Jett Donison scored for Gillies. Drake Limpert had eight saves, Taylor Tabashniuk stopped 11.
Next up is the Blue and White Game, which is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Brandt Centre.
The Pats open their preseason schedule with a pair of games to start the week, as they host the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday and Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday. Start times for both games are 7 p.m. at the Brandt Centre.
