There are some clues that it is the playoff season for Maddox Schultz and his family.
His hair is the most obvious. As is the custom of many hockey teams when the playoffs begin, the Canadians of Regina Pat of the AAA League of Saskatchewan U-18 have dyed blond hair.
His behavior is also a bit more serious.
“It’s chaotic. I think it’s something you have to get used to because as you advance already measure, I think this is something that will only come coming,” said Maddox. “So you have to be prepared. I think I’ve been doing a very good job.”
Schultz celebrated his birthday on March 15. During the past year he obtained permission from Hockey Saskatchewan to play for Pat Canadians as a 14 -year -old.
Then he led the League of children under 18 in goals, assists and points, and was appointed the most valuable player in the prestigious Circle K Classic during the vacation season, following the footsteps of Landon Dupont, Gavin McKenna, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Parise.
Maddox and little sister Sydney have spent their entire lives on the track. His parents Vicki and David are elite level skating coaches.
“They raised us a little on the track, because when we were really young, our parents had to teach,” Sydney said. “Then the parents would take care of us when we were really small.”
“We would take to the game to the track, so they have been running rats practically all their lives,” Vicki said.
Playing a level in hockey is nothing new for Maddox. In each step he has played against larger, bigger and sometimes faster players.
Last season, Maddox was called his U-15 team to play with the Canadians of Regina Pat when he was 13 years old.
His chief coach Ryan Hodgins said it was obvious.
“It is definitely exclusive to have a player at that level at that age, but it could be seen that he comes with Maddox, since he was playing minor hockey, who was a special player.”
Maddox’s work has drawn attention throughout the country. Many explorers classify him as the best player in Canada born in 2010.
Todd Ripler is an explorer with the Moose Jaw Warriors and has explored in the Western Hockey League for more than 30 years. He has drilling praise for the young hockey player, comparing it with great time.
“It is built as Crosby, you can write down as Crosby, it gets tight by the network,” Rippleinger said. “His shot is so hard and strong for a 14 -year -old boy, but his greatest attribute is his skating.”
They will be an important three months for Maddox. The Regina Pat Canadians finished first in the regular season and driving for a league title and a possible position in the National Cup Telus championship.
Maddox Schultz received an exceptional status at the age of 14 to play in the AAA U18 hockey league. The top scorer of the League is expected to have just turned 15, is number 1. He will choose the next draft of the Western Hockey League, but this time he does not seek exceptional status. This is because under a new Canada hockey rule, you can keep the Canadians U18 AAA Regina Pat and are still allowed to play 34 games at the WHL next year.
Draft Prospect Prospect Draft will also be presented in May. Maddox has the opportunity to be the first regina player to be taken for the first time since the draft began in 1990.
There were rumors that Maddox would look for an exceptional status for the 2025-26 WHL season, following in the footsteps of the current 15-year-old player Landon Dupont of Everett Silvertips and Connor Bedard of Regina Pats.
The Schultz family made the decision earlier this year of not seeking exceptional status, instead, opt for a new rule called Western Development Model of Canada. It is a pilot project created in cooperation with Canada Hockey, the Western Hockey League and the Junior A Leagues throughout the West of Canada.
This will allow Maddox to keep his U-18 team in Regina, while he also plays up to 34 games with his Western Hockey League team.
“It was a fairly easy decision as a family,” said Maddox’s father, David. “The exceptional status title, the players who have used that, I mean, are incredible, what they have been able to do with him, but we do not think that it was suitable for him and our family.”
“It is more a hybrid option with this, and that was really attractive to us again only to drive, but also protect,” Vicki said.
The Schultzs have always been very close, going from track to track, competition game, ice -to -training session. They are your best support group.
Even at such an early age, Maddox recognizes how important his family is and how fleeting his time could be with them.
“I think I have to be grateful for time and enjoy the time I have with them, because they are my people,” he said. “When I am old and I am in a bar with my friends or whatever, I have to remember every time I’ve been with them.”
