Pat Canadians win first U18 National Championship since 1999
Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pat Canadians captured their first U18 National Championship since 1999 on Sunday, defeating Chevaliers de Levis 3-2 in overtime in the gold medal game at the 2025 Telus Cup.
“First off, I’d like to say congratulations to Ryan [Hodgins] and his staff,” said Regina Pats Head Coach Brad Herauf. “They did a great job this year. There are a lot of people involved when you’re running those programs, and a lot of people behind the scenes that do as much or more work than Ryan does. Congrats to everyone involved in that program, as a lot of it is volunteer time.”
Pats goaltending prospect Taylor Tabashniuk was named the player of the game following a 29 save performance. The Regina product finished the tournament with a 1.20 goals-against average and .951 save-percentage with one shutout.
“To have a championship team, your goaltender has to be one of your best players,” said Herauf. “For Taylor, he handled not playing in the WHL really well as I know that was a goal of his. “Every conversation I’ve had with him has always been upbeat and positive. He was very important to his Hockey Club and he knew what his job was. The only thing I ever said to him was to expect to be the best. Good isn’t good enough, be great. And he was great for the Pat C’s.”
Maddox Schultz scored 28 seconds into overtime with a wrist shot from the faceoff dot to secure a 3-2 win. He finished the tournament as MVP, recording 20 points (9G-11A) in seven games. 17 players on the Pat C’s roster hail from Regina, making even more special for the community.
“It’s a super special moment, I’m really happy they got it done,” he added. “Another cool part is that I know a lot of those boys on that team. A lot of them grew up with my son. I’ve coached a lot of them in baseball and hockey. It’s so cool to have a relationship with those kids. Having played and coached in that program, the Pat Canadians have a special place in my heart.”
The national championship is Regina’s first since 1999 and fifth overall, tying the Notre Dame Hounds and Séminaire Saint-François for most all-time. The Pat Canadians last won a medal in 2015 when they claimed bronze. Herauf was a player on the 1999 championship team, and the Head Coach of the team that won bronze in 2015.
“We were such a competitive group,” he recalled. “We had a lot of guys who grew up against each other. Championships like that bring everyone very close together, and I still talk to a lot of those guys today. A lot of those guys are still in Regina which I think is a cool part of the program. Once you’re done in the program, you’re still going to be a teacher, lawyer, police officer, a plumber or whatever it is. You’ll always be a part of the Pat Canadians program.”
Herauf was the Head Coach of the Pat C’s from 2013-2015 before joining the Pats as an assistant coach during the 2015-16 season, working under John Paddock and Dave Struch. Herauf tallied 33 points (14G-19A) in 41 games in the regular season with the Pat Canadians in 1999, as well as eight points (2G-6A) in 10 playoff games.
“I watched the game last night just like most Pat Canadians alumni,” he said. “That’s the real special part of the program. It’s a Regina program and a celebration of all the minor hockey success. That’s the pinnacle of Hockey Regina. I know most of my teammates from the 1999 championship team were watching.”
