As the WHL trade deadline came and went Thursday night, the Regina Pats kept their roster intact. No late-night deals, no last-second surprises — just a decision to trust what they have.
That didn’t happen because nothing was offered — GM Dale Derkatch confirmed his phone “was ringing off the hook” with inquiries on both younger and older players. But in the end, Derkatch wasn’t sold on any deal that would materially improve his club’s chances down the stretch.
“We had opportunities, teams calling about older guys and younger guys,” Derkatch said. “But right now, we believe this group is in a place where we can fight for one of those open playoff spots.”
In an era where rivals have been making moves to tilt the roster toward youth or add that missing veteran element, the Pats chose continuity, banking on their current lineup to do the job when it matters most.
“The teams around us were making some moves to maybe move some of their older guys away so they're a little younger today,” Derkatch said. “Hopefully us standing pat, we'll have a good opportunity to fight for one of those playoff spots that are open.”
He reiterated the reasoning:
“We are in a good position right now to fight with about four other teams for a playoff spot and you know I think keeping this group together we can do that.”
For Derkatch — and the leaders in the Pats room — this deadline was never about panic trading. It was about commitment to process and confidence in the locker room.
“I would love to see us get into the playoffs,” he said, “especially for the older guys to show what they can do to maybe get opportunities moving forward, and our younger guys to get some experience they can carry on to the next stage when we get there.”
For a franchise recently familiar with turning over talent at this time of year, the decision to hold firm feels like a statement: trust in the group you’ve got, and trust that together, you’re built to compete.
A message from Pats general manager Dale Derkatch following today’s trade deadline: #BlueRunsDeep | #ReginaPatsHockey pic.twitter.com/QXUZycHwmH
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 9, 2026
Up Next for the Pats
Regina returns home Friday night to host the Red Deer Rebels at 7 p.m. at the Brandt Centre — you can catch the action on 620 CKRM starting at 6:30 p.m. with pre-game talk. After that, the Pats trek to Brandon Saturday to tangle with the Wheat Kings.
If there’s any ripple from deadline day, it’s added urgency — a chance to prove that patience wasn’t just a choice… it was the right one.
