WHL Stars of Tomorrow: Cohen Klassen, Regina Pats
Cohen Klassen has come a long way since he was first drafted into the Western Hockey League.
Originally selected in the third round by the Regina Pats, the then-14-year-old was shocked at how big of a leap the WHL was compared to the leagues he grew up playing in.
After skating in a rookie camp, training camp, and a pre-season game last September, Klassen realized that further work needed to be done if he wanted to be a household name in the League.
“It’s a massive step. When I was up there in Regina for preseason, it’s just a major difference. Everyone’s just so much stronger and so much faster,” he admitted.
🎥: Hear from the newest Pats signing, as Klassen spoke with the media at #PatsSpringCamp! pic.twitter.com/Iy8QyMdkhU
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) May 30, 2023
So, Klassen spent the 2023-24 season sharpening his skill set with the Warman Wildcats U18 AAA team. And, even after collecting 26 points (11 goals–15 assists) in 31 games with the club, the Pats prospect wasn’t done training.
Following a summer spent both on the ice and in the gym, the 15-year-old heads back to Regina feeling reinvigorated and ready to make a difference on the roster.
“I wanted to get faster and stronger, because knowing the difference between WHL and [U18] AAA, it’s a major difference. So, I had to get ready for that.”
His desire to always be improving his game is what first put Klassen on the Pats’ radar prior to the draft. While style of play and skill sets are important aspects to have, Pats VP of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Alan Millar, also puts heavy emphasis on the pillars of work ethic, trust, and responsibility.
All of which are values Klassen embraces.
“He understands how to play the game with details and to play the right way. And, I think for a young player, he doesn’t cheat the game,” Millar explained. “If you’re going to play at this level at 16, trust and responsibility and important.”
“I think those are the intangibles that are going to give Cohen the best opportunity to compete for a spot on our team.”
However, this doesn’t mean overhauling a distinct style of play to better suit a coach’s recommendation.
There remains a fine line between implementing a piece of advice or restructuring around it. Klassen, for example, knows how to walk the line perfectly
“Sometimes kids come into camp, [and] they think they’ve got to do something to stand out offensively to catch the coach’s eye, or the manager’s eye, or scout’s eye. Come in and play to your strengths,” Millar advised. “Cohen was an important draft pick for the organization in the third round. He signed right after the draft [and is] someone that’s got a pathway here to be an important player for us. But, don’t think you have to come in and score a bunch of goals.”
During his time with the Pats last season, Klassen also found himself gravitating to the team’s captain and current Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, Tanner Howe. He was in awe of all the preparation the crafty forward dedicated time for ahead of a practice or a game.
“I can take lots of lessons from him. Just even watching him before and after practices, he’s always making sure his body’s ready to go and just making sure he’s always dialled in.”
In a similar fashion as Millar’s set of advice, Klassen absorbed Howe’s teachings into his game too.
Although having just started, it seems that the forward’s year spent training and evolving as a player has already begun to pay off in his second training camp with the organization.
Suiting up in Regina’s first preseason game of the 2024-25 campaign, the Martensville, Sask. product showcased his 200-foot game by finding himself on the scoresheet on two separate occasions – registering a goal and an assist in an 8-5 loss to the Swift Current Broncos.
📺 Watch Klassen's goal! pic.twitter.com/S87t6ZfFyD
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) September 5, 2024
And – mirroring Klassen’s mentality from the season prior – the hard work isn’t close to being done. While making strides in his game is something to be proud of, the forward has lots of opportunities to grow ahead of him.
For starters, Klassen hopes his WHL debut comes in the near future.
“That’d be awesome. It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time, and just got to keep putting in the work to make sure that happens.”
The Regina Pats will be on the road to begin their 2024-25 regular season, as they are scheduled to visit the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday, September 20. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. MT.
