Lansard Drafted 68th Overall in Third Round by Hurricanes
Regina, SK – Regina Pats forward Zach Lansard was selected in the third round (68th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.
Lansard, 17, became the third Regina Pats player to be drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes since the franchise relocated from Hartford in 1997, joining Brett Lysak (1999) and Matej Trojovsky (2003). Scott Daniels was previously drafted by the franchise in 1989 during its time as the Hartford Whalers. In addition, Lansard became just the second player in Pats history to be chosen 68th overall, joining Bernie Germain in 1972.
The Ste. Anne, Man., product took a major step forward in his sophomore Western Hockey League season after earning Regina Pats Rookie of the Year honours in 2024-25. Following a 19-point (7G-12A) rookie campaign in 54 games, Lansard broke out with 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points in 68 contests in the 2025-26 season, finishing third on the club in both goals and points. He carried that momentum into the playoffs, tallying three goals in five games during the Pats’ first-round series against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The 2008-born forward was originally drafted by the Blue Brigade in the fourth round (78th overall) in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and has steadily developed into a prominent talent in the WHL and a key piece to the Regina Pats’ offence. Among his notable offensive metrics, the six-foot, 175-pound forward was a mainstay on the power-play last season, registering five goals, 12 assists, and 17 points on the man advantage in the 2025-26 campaign, also recording three game-winning goals for the Pats.
Lansard is expected to return to Regina for the 2026-27 season, where he will continue his development while taking on an even larger role with the Pats.
The Regina Pats would like to congratulate Zach and his family on this tremendous accomplishment.
