Pats 2024 Prospect Update Pt. 1
Regina, Sask. — Leading up to next week’s WHL Prospects Draft (May 8 & 9), the Regina Pats will be providing an update on the current state of its prospect pool, including both signed and unsigned prospects in a four-part series.
Today, we begin by highlighting the signed prospects from before the 2023 Draft. Our next update take place on Tuesday where we will look at the six signed prospects from the 2023 Draft.
*Note: The order of these prospects are done by position and alphabetically.
SIGNED PROSPECTS (Pt. 1 – 2021 & 2022 Draft)
Madden Mulawka: 2006 Goaltender | Edmonton Jr. Oilers U18 AAA
Mulawka, 18, was named an Alberta Elite Hockey League Second Team All-Star this past season, going 11-2-1 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage with two shutouts, posting the lowest G.A.A in the AEHL. The Edmonton, Alta. product was drafted in the fifth round by the Prince George Cougars in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, and was acquired by the Pats on November 27, 2023. With the Pats, the 6-foot-2, 205 lb. goaltender played in two games after playing in three games with the Cougars the year prior.
“I thought he had a really good year. From talking to his coach in Edmonton, it sounds like he did his part. He just has to have a good summer of training and come in and win a spot. He has size, moves well in the net, he challenges shooters and like any young goaltender, he has to refine his game and keep improving in all aspects. No different than a 19 or 20-year-old goalie, or a pro player.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin.
Cruz Chase: 2007 Goaltender | Airdrie CFR Bisons U18 AAA
Chase, 16, appeared in 22 games with the Bisons this past season, going 10-7-1 with a 3.75 goals-against average and a .899 save-percentage. The Airdrie, Alta. product is listed at 5-foot-11, 161 lb. and was drafted by the Pats in the seventh round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
“We like his athleticism and we’re hoping he stretches a little more. Both his parents are tall people so he may grow some more. He’s big enough to play now and from talking to his goalie coaches, he’s doing his part. He trains hard and does things the right way. He wants to be a player so he’s just one of those kids who has to keep working at his craft. He’s old enough to play next year at 17 so it’s all in his hands for how much time he puts into everything this summer.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin
Dayton Deschamps: 2007 Defenceman | Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA
Deschamps, 16, was acquired by the Pats from the Saskatoon Blades on December 31, 2023, along with Samuel Barcik, Zach Moore and three draft picks for Alexander Suzdalev. The Saskatoon, Sask. product signed with the Pats on January 15, 2024, and is coming off a season where he tallied 18 points (7G-11A) in 37 games. The 5-foot-9, 165 lb. left-shot defenceman also recorded seven points (2G-5A) in 10 playoff games, helping the Blazers to another Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League Championship.
“He’s a kid who plays the right way, is hard on pucks, he gets to pucks first, he plays with a lot of energy in his game and there’s lots of things to like. I think he’s one of those guys with just his work ethic alone is going to improve. He can be a hard player to play against. He strikes me as one of those players that no matter what rink he’s playing, whether it’s home or away, he won’t change his game.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin
Samuel Laplante | 2007 Defenceman | Edge School U18 Prep
Laplante, 17, tallied eight points (3G-5A) in 29 games with Edge this past season, helping his club to the CSSHL U18 Championship. The Okotoks, Alta. product also tallied four points (3G-1A) in five games at the Circle K Classic. The 6-foot-1, 181 lb. right-shot defenceman was drafted by the Pats in the seventh round (141 overall) in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Samuel is a tall lanky kid in a big body. He moves pretty well out there but he just needs to work on his footspeed, transition skating and things like that. He’s got a chance, and I think next year to come in and add to the backend. He’s a good kid who does all the right things. He wants to be a Regina Pat. I think that bods well for the future.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin
Brayden Smith | 2007 Defenceman | Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA
Smith, 17, was named a Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League First Team All-Star as well as Top Defenceman, leading the SMAAAHL in points by a defenceman, recording 44 points (9G-35A) in 41 games. The Saskatoon, Sask. product also appeared in five games with the Pats this past season and later won the Provincial Championship with the Blazers, posting eight points (3G-5A) in 10 playoff games. The 6-foot-1, 174 lb. left-shot defender was drafted by the Pats in the third round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
“He had a great season and the accolades speak for themselves. He moves pretty well and thinks the game. Sometimes you’d like the pace to pickup at different times but he plays so much so you have to be careful in the evaluation. There’s a lot to like. He moves the puck well on the power play. He seems to engage at different times. He’s just another kid who is young being a four year player. He adds a little bit of everything to the backend but he needs to have the mindset to come in and take a job or win a job.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin
Wyatt Stinton | 2007 Forward | RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg U18
Stinton, 17, was listed as a U18 Prep Prairie Division Second Team All-Star in 2023-24. The Flin Flon, Man. product tallied 40 points (26G-14A) in 30 games this past season, leading his club in goals and points. The 5-foot-10, 160 lb. left-shot forward was drafted by the Pats in the fifth round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
“I think Wyatt has the worth ethic and just seems to arrive at the right time in different places. He’s not fussy in the routes he takes, he gets to loose pucks in the offensive zone, and backchecks well. He’s just a good kid. He does have to get somewhat stronger and he has a chance throughout the offseason to do that. He definitely does his part, he’s just a great kid with a lot of energy. His coaches in Winnipeg were really happy with his development.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin
Raiden Zacharias | 2006 Forward | Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA
Zacharias, 18, captained the Blazers this past season and finished tied for second in the SMAAAHL in points and tied for first in assists, recording 62 points (19G-43A) in 44 games. The Saskatoon, Sask. product tallied 14 points (6G-8A) in the playoffs as the Blazers won the league championship. The 5-foot-10, 185 lb. left-shot winger was drafted in the fourth round (75th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft and played four games for the Pats (0G-1A) in the 2021-22 season.
“He’s got a lot of attributes to like and it’s in his court to do the proper things this summer and train to be a WHL player. He’s got offensive instincts and like any young kid, he has to improve on his fitness. His skating has to come along but there’s players playing in the league, not with us, that certainty aren’t better than him as a 2006-born player. It’s up to Raiden this summer to do the right things, come in and win a job.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin