Schultz has ‘big footsteps to follow’ ahead of 2028 NHL Draft

EDMONTON -- Maddox Schultz opted not to apply for exceptional player status with the Western Hockey League last season, even though he fit the criteria.

It’s worked out well.

An early candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, the center was selected by Regina, his hometown team, with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WHL Prospect Draft and had 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 34 games last season. He also had 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists) in 21 games for the Regina Pat Canadians U-18 AAA team in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League.

Schultz followed it up by helping Canada win the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with an 8-1 victory against the United States in the final at Rogers Place on Saturday.

“It was just a family decision, and I thought it was good for me to develop and not play in the (WHL) full-time,” said Schultz, who turned 16 on March 15. “Obviously there were big footsteps to follow, and it was a great development year for me. Playing 34 games (with Regina) was still almost as good as 68 and I still got the experience. And going into this year it’s going to be awesome and I’m really excited. I think it was the right decision.”

Only center Connor Bedard (2020) and defenseman Landon DuPont (2024) have been granted exceptional player status by the WHL and permitted to play an entire season as a 15-year-old; generally players are limited to five regular-season games at age 15. Bedard was the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2023 NHL Draft; DuPont is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and was Canada captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

DuPont had high praise for Schultz, who was an alternate captain.

“He plays the right way, he reminds me a lot of (Sidney) Crosby,” DuPont said. “You don’t often say that, but it goes to the way he plays with and without the puck. He hits, he shoots, he passes, sets guys up. He’s just such a complete player, and off the ice he’s unreal too.”

Schultz had two goals and an assist Saturday and led the tournament with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in five games. He, along with teammate Liam Pue, were among a handful of underage players taking part in the eight-team, international under-18 summer showcase event. Pue had two goals and an assist in the final and nine points (six goals, three assists) in five games. He also was permitted to play half a season for Regina and had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 34 games.

Schultz and Pue were the youngest players on Canada’s Hlinka roster and played on the same line throughout the tournament, where they were also heavily scouted by NHL teams.

“I don’t think it was hard for us, me and Liam, to adapt to this tournament because we did play 34 games in the WHL last season,” Schultz said. “The way we experienced the WHL, that prepared us very well for this tournament.”

Naturally, expectations will continue to rise during the next two seasons before the 2028 draft. Each is returning to Regina this season and will be eligible to represent Canada again in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Czechia next year.

“It’s so special that I get to do everything by his side,” Pue said. “I played with him last season in Regina and to be able to win a gold medal with him at this tournament is pretty special.

“He can do it all. He’s a 200-foot player who battles hard and can put the puck in the net at any time and he also makes great plays. He can really do it all.”

The IIHF World Junior Championship also likely is in their future, if not this year in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, 2027, then in following tournaments.

Schultz in particular is expected to be part of the Hockey Canada program for a long time.

“It’s hard to compare him to anybody because of the intangibles that he has,” Canada coach Ryan Oulahen said. “He can have an imprint on any part of the game, not only the physicality element, the hockey-sense element, the two-way centerman, and then you see the talent that he has.

“There’s a lot of offensive upside with him. He’s a unique player and you would never think that he’s an underage player in this tournament. It was really impressive.”

Schultz said he’s looking forward to having a strong season with Regina and will take as much as he can from the experience at this tournament. He’s aware he’ll be under the microscope in his draft year like DuPont, who is going to play for the University of Michigan this season after helping Everett win the WHL championship last season.

But on Saturday, it was about helping Canada finish the job.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Schultz said. “Obviously when you put on the Canada jersey, there’s expectations that come with it, and I think we capitalized on our opportunities.

“I can’t describe this feeling right now. It’s amazing.”