Pats 2026 Prospect Update Pt. 2
Regina, Sask. – Following yesterday’s look at the club’s 2010-born prospects selected in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, the Regina Pats continue their three-part series ahead of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft (May 6 & 7), presented by Western Pizza.
Today’s feature shifts focus to the organization’s 2009-born prospects, with a comprehensive update on both signed and unsigned players within that age group. The series will conclude with a final look at 2008-born players, along with listed prospects.
Note: Prospects are listed alphabetically within each birth year and broken down by position.
UNSIGNED PROSPECTS
Jacob Appleby | 2009-born Goaltender | Warman Wildcats U18 AAA
Appleby, a 17-year-old from Regina, Sask. went 10-4-0 with a 3.29 goals-against average and a .891 save-percentage with one shutout over 18 games with the Warman Wildcats. The 6-foot-4, 161 lb. goaltender also played one game for the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL, stopping 14 of 16 in 29 minutes of action on March 13 versus the Nipawin Hawks.
“Jacob spent the season with the Warman Wildcats in the SMAAAHL, appearing in 18 games and delivering solid performances. He also gained valuable experience competing at the Circle K Classic, an important developmental opportunity. Jacob’s large frame allows him to cover the net effectively, giving him a strong foundation in goal.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Trist Frei
Jack Bissoon | 2009-born Defenceman | Calgary Northstars U18 AAA
Bissoon, who turns 17 in December, played for the Calgary Northstars last season, recording close to a point-per-game from the backend with 34 points (11G-23A) in 36 games, and 68 penalty minutes. He led all defencemen on his Club in goals, and scoring, while also placing second amongst all AEHL U18 blueliners in scoring where he was named a second team all-star. The 5-foot-9, 168 lb. left-shot was selected by the Pats in the eighth round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“He had a great fall camp for us last year, and then we watched him at the Circle K and he continued to get better. I think he found a little bit of an offensive side in his game with the North Stars, playing big minutes, making plays on the power play, playing on the penalty kill, and against the other team’s top players. He’s physical and plays with an edge. He’s a good skater. very mobile and agile, and doesn’t let the forecheck get him. He goes into the corners, which is great. We’re looking forward to seeing him this fall.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei
Thayne Wasyluk | 2009-born Forward | Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep
Wasyluk, 17, produced 22 points (11G-11A) in 22 games at NAX this past season, as well as seven points (5G-2A) in six playoff games. The Sherwood Park, Alta. product also tallied two goals and two assists in seven games at the Circle K Classic. Wasyluk is a 6-foot, 179 lb. right-shot forward who was selected by the Pats in the fifth round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Thayne plays hard and finishes his checks. He wants to push the pace and he’s good around the net. He was a big element for his team, we’re proud of the way that he played this season. We’re looking forward to him coming in again and competing for a spot on our team and making our camp competitive by the way he plays because that’s just what he does.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei.
Camden Zaporzan | 2009-born Forward | Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA
Zaporzan, a speedy 17-year-old forward from Anchorage, AK just completed his third season at Shattuck’s, this year competing with their 16U team. The 5-foot-6, 161 lb. right-shot forward compiled 57 points (36G-21A) in 54 games, where his goal total was second on the team. Zaporzan was selected by the Pats with the 25th overall pick in the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft.
“We like Camden a lot, he’s a good young man. He comes from a program where the details in his game are shown in terms of his improvements, strength from being in the gym, he has a lot of resources to get better. When he came here this year, we saw growth and development from him. He’s a smaller forward that has really quick speed and agility. He has a quick release and playmaking abilities. We’re excited to see his path of development.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei.
Hunter Wilm | 2009-born Forward | Swift Current Legionnaires U18
Wilm, 27, was second on his U18 team in scoring, and first in assists this past season, recording a career-high 67 points (22G-45A) in 44 games. The Central Butte, Sask. product had four or more points in a contest five different times with a season best five assists on October 3 versus Estevan. The 5-foot-9, 161 lbs. left-shot forward was drafted by the Pats in the sixth round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Hunter is a very smart player. He’s got good skill and quick feet. I think he was a real big asset for that team, providing a lot of scoring and offensive ability. He’s getting better every year, which is great, and we’re looking forward to seeing him come in and compete for a spot on our team next year.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei.
SIGNED PROSPECTS
Drake Mooney | 2009-born Goaltender | Prairie Hockey Academy U18 Prep
Mooney, who turns 17 in October, just finished up his second season at PHA in Caronport, Sask. posting a 2.13 goals-against average and .932 save percentage with four shutouts in 17 games, along with a 11-5-0 record. The Blackfalds, Alta. product posted the fourth best SV% in the CSSHL, and was tied for first in shutouts. Mooney was drafted by the Pats in the fourth round (82nd overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“We’re super excited about his development and his path. I think PHA has been a great fit for him with the staff there, and obviously him being close to Regina allows for opportunity for him to come and work with our goalie coach Max Paddock. Most recently, we watched him in Penticton in the CSSHL Playoffs, and he was outstanding. We were very happy with how he played. He’s a very athletic goalie. He makes cross creases shots look easy. He’s mobile. And I think for me, the biggest thing about Drake is he’s very committed, and he wants to be a goalie in this league very, very bad. We’re looking forward to him coming to fall camp next year and trying to compete for spot on our team.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Trist Frei
Ryder Dunn | 2009-born Defenceman | Delta Ice Hawks
Dunn, a 17-year-old left-shot defenceman from Richmond, B.C., recorded 27 points (11G-16A) along with 136 penalty minutes in 42 games with the Delta Ice Hawks of the PIJHL this season. His 11 goals were the most by a defenceman on the club and tied for fourth-most among all blueliners in the league. The 6-foot, 209-pound rearguard also led all rookie defencemen in goals, assists and points. Dunn was selected by the Regina Pats in the seventh round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Ryder was able to play junior hockey, which I think was really good for him. He’s a big defenceman that’s strong, skates well, and shoots the puck really well. I think him playing in an older league with stronger players helped him. I know our BC Scout Rob Gallamore watched him lots, and made some real great reports on him. He came in during our playoff run, and we got to spend some time with him and watch him. He was able to practice with our team and be around our team, which is which is great for for his development. So, we’re looking forward to him competing for a spot in the fall.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei
Sam Failler | 2009-born forward | Warman Wildcats U18 AAA
Failler, 17, completed his second season with the Warman Wildcats in 2025-26, recording 53 points (22G-31A) in 44 games. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-shot forward from Dundurn, Sask., led the Wildcats in scoring and finished second on the team in goals. He followed that up after posting 21 points (7G-14A) in 42 games during his rookie campaign with Warman in 2024-25. Failler was selected by the Pats in the second round (38th overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Sam continues to get better every year. He’s growing, stronger, is bigger and faster, which is great. With Warman, he stepped into a leadership role with the team as the captain. And then, a big step from last year, he had over double the amount of points and goals. That means he’s developing and putting in the time to become better. Sam skates well, plays with energy, but the biggest thing about Sam is his hockey sense. He’s smart and is able to read and anticipate plays. He played two games for us and you saw this year that we’re allowing our young prospects to play some games for our team and I think that’s important for the future.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei.
Cohen Handby | 2009-born forward | Calgary Canucks
Handby, 16, had a unique 2025-26 season, splitting time with the Pats and Calgary Canucks of the AJHL, where he completed in 35 total games, registering five assists. He managed to dress in 10 WHL matches with the Blue Brigade while the Pats dealt with injuries. The 6-foot-4, 179 lb. left-shot hails from Nanaimo, BC, and was selected by the Pats in the third round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
“Cohen had a unique experience this year. There were times that we were down a couple of forwards, which allowed him to spend over a month with our team and play games. That was great for him. Allowing him to be in an older environment where he’s able to play against bigger, faster, stronger players, we felt, would be better for his development as well. He was a big help in playing those games and getting us those points when he was with our team. He’s a big guy, skates well, and likes to play with an edge. We look forward to seeing him come in and compete for a spot on our team next year.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei
Braden Hordichuk | 2009-born Forward | SAHA U18 Prep
Hordichuk was selected by the Pats with the first overall pick in the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft and spent the 2025-26 season with SAHA U18 Prep, where he served as team captain and recorded 16 points (6G-10A) in 27 games at the CSSHL U18 level. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-shot winger captained the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes in 2024-25, totaling 48 points (25G-23A) in 41 games. A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Hordichuk also has Saskatchewan ties, as his father, Darcy, is from Kamsack, Sask.
“In terms of his play, Braden is growing and getting stronger. He’s good around the net, plays with an edge, is physical, and blocks shots. He’s a good young man as well. It was great for him to come in and be around our team the last two weeks of the season and see the experience of getting into the playoffs. We look forward to seeing him in the fall.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei
Owen Sejna | 2009-born Forward | Rocky Mountain Roughriders 16U
Sejna, who was listed by the Pats in 2024, made his WHL debut on March 14 against Prince Albert after an outstanding season in which he recorded 75 points (12G-63A) in 45 games. The Lafayette, Colorado product led his team in both scoring and assists. The 6-foot, 165-pound left-shot forward first caught the attention of Pats management during the 2023-24 campaign, when he amassed an eye-popping 237 points (59G-178A) in 61 games. Sejna is the son of former Slovak NHL forward Peter Sejna, who played for the St. Louis Blues from 2004 to 2007. Prior to turning pro, Peter starred at Colorado College, where he won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men’s hockey player in 2002-03.
“Owen played in an older league this year, which I think was great for his development. He was here (in Regina) for almost a month and a half, skating and working out with our team. He’s a guy who handles and protects the puck well. He’s slippery, crafty, and he can make plays. Real good year for him and looking forward to seeing him again in the fall.” – Regina Pats Asst. GM Tristan Frei.
