Pats 2025 Prospect Update Pt. 2
Regina, Sask. – Leading up to next week’s WHL Prospects Draft (May 7 & 8), 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.
On Tuesday, we highlighted signed prospects from before the 2024 Draft. Today, we will look at signed prospects from the 2024 Draft. Tomorrow, we will provide an update on unsigned drafted players prior to the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, as well as listed players.
SIGNED PROSPECTS (Pt. 2 – 2024 Draft)
Aiden Wagner | 2009 D | Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA
Wagner, 16, had success in his first season with the Blazers, recording 17 points (3G-14A) in 36 games. The Yorkton, Sask. product also played two games with the Pats, making his WHL debut on January 21 at Medicine Hat. The 5-foot-11, 168 lb. right-shot defenceman was drafted in the second round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft after recording 23 points (4G-19A) in 22 games with the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep team in 2023-24. Wagner also represented Team Sask. at the 2024 WHL Cup in the fall, scoring one goal in five contests.
“I was lucky to see Aiden in the playoffs, and he looked good. He was playing with a lot of confidence. He was playing very physical and standing in there despite being only 15-years-old, playing against some guys who are a bit older. It looks like he’s grown so that probably helps his confidence. He has patience with the puck, makes nice passes and played really well. I was impressed.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Dale Derkatch
Sam Failler | 2009 F | Warman Wildcats U18 AAA
Failler, 16, had a seamless transition to the Sask. U18 AAA circuit, recording 21 points (7G-14A) in 42 games with the Wildcats. The Dundurn, Sask. product also played four games with the Pats at the end of the season, picking up two helpers in his WHL debut on March 15 vs. Swift Current. The 5-foot-9, 146 lb. right-shot forward represented Team Sask. at the 2024 WHL Cup, recording three helpers in five games. Failler was drafted in the second round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Sam improved as the year went on, which led to playing with our team at the end of the season. He looked fairly good, had confidence and handled the puck well. He started a little slow in Warman but as the season went on, I think he got more confidence and in the second half he played really well. He ended up playing a couple games with us, and looked pretty good. It was like a dream debut, you don’t get that very often.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Dale Derkatch
Cohen Handby | 2009 F | Okanagan HA U18 Prep
Handby, 15, tallied 28 points (12G-16A) in 32 games this past season. The Nanaimo, BC product was called up for three games with the Pats at the end of March, making his WHL debut on March 16 at Saskatoon. The 6-foot-4, 172 lb. left-shot forward was drafted by the Pats in the third round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Handby projects to be a 6-foot-6 centre that plays hard. He has a really good two-way game. Last year, his coaches really trusted him in certain situations as a centre. I’m not only excited about his size but the way he plays as well.” – Regina Pats GM Alan Millar
Braden Hordichuk | 2009 F | Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15U AAA
Hordichuk, 16, recorded 48 points (25G-33A) in 41 games in 2024-25, leading his team in goals while finishing second on the team in points. The Scottsdale, AZ product was selected with the first overall pick of the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft. The 5-foot-11, 165 lb. right-shot winger tallied 32 points (20G-12A) in 37 games with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 14U AAA team in 2023-24.
“Hordichuk is developing into a prototypical power forward. He plays the game hard and plays the game the right way. He’s really invested in his own development. His skating has come a long way since his draft year and I really look forward to him competing for a spot on our team this fall.” – Regina Pats GM Alan Millar
Mathis Paull | 2009 F | RINK HA Kelowna U18 Prep
Paull, 16, finished the 2024-25 season with 20 points (8G-12A) in 31 games. The Vernon, BC product was also called up for five games with the Pats near the end of the season, making his WHL debut on February 19 vs. Calgary. The 6-foot-2, 185 lb. left-shot forward was drafted in the third round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Mathis Paull is a hard-nose power winger that plays a really hard north-south game. He’s hard on the forecheck. He likes to hit, likes to play physical, likes to go to the net but combines it with a really good shot and touch around the net. I think he’s going to be a handful at 18 and 19 in our league.” – Regina Pats GM Alan Millar
Owen Sejna | 2009 F | Lafayette Locomotives 16U AA
Sejna, 15, had another impressive offensive season, totaling 50 points (18G-32A) in 20 games. Last season, the Colorado product recorded 237 points (59G-178A) in 61 games with the Lafayette Locomotives 14U AA program. The 5-foot-10, 143 lb. left-shot forward was listed by the Pats following their 2024 Training Camp where he came as a Free Agent Invite.
“I think he’s another young player who’s going to make an impression this fall and compete for a spot on our team. His best attributes are his skill and hockey sense. He’s a smart player, good skater and another player who is very invested in his development. He was a real pleasant surprise at last years training camp and a tip of the hat to our U.S. Scout Rhett Gordon on getting him to our camp as a free agent.” – Regina Pats GM Alan Millar
Drake Mooney | 2009 G | Prairie Hockey Academy U17 Prep
Mooney, 15, went 6-10-2 with a 3.56 G.A.A and .897 SV% with one shutout during the 2024-25 season. In the playoffs, the Blackfalds, Alta. product posted a 2.16 G.A.A and .948 SV%, earning the nod as CSSHL U17 Playoff MVP. The 6-foot-1, 165 lb. goaltender was drafted by the Pats in the fourth round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Drake came in and got to practice with the team and be around us which was great as he had a really good end to his season. He played really well in the tournament in Penticton. It’s always great to be around the team to see how players conduct themselves in terms of their off-ice training as well as their preparation for practice and games. It’s good to get a feel for that so when their time comes, they’re ready to go. We’re really excited about Drake’s future with us.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Dale Derkatch
