Regina Pats earn WHL playoff spot for first time since 2023

2025-26 Regina Pats (Credit: Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats)

For the first time in three years, the Regina Pats are headed to the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) postseason.

Despite losing each of their final four games of the season, including the regular season finale to Brandon Saturday night, Regina clinching their playoff position on the final day of play thanks to losses from other teams.

The Pats needed just a single point to hold their own playoff destiny. However, falling 4-2 to the Wheat Kings in Brandon, Man. meant Regina needed either Moose Jaw to lose to Swift Current or a Red Deer loss to Medicine Hat.

The Warriors, who were on the outside of the playoff picture looking to climb up the standings Saturday, dropped their affair to the Broncos 4-1; officially eliminating Moose Jaw from the playoffs and locking both Regina and Red Deer into the postseason.

The Pats end the season with a 25-34-7-2 record.

With Saturday’s results, Regina earns the seven seed and a first-round matchup with the defending WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers.

The 2025 Ed Chynoweth Cup winners are in search of becoming the first team to repeat as champions since, coincidentally, the Tigers pulled off the feat in 1987 and 1988.

Regina last made the postseason in 2023, when Chicago Blackhawks alternate captain Connor Bedard was leading the Pats. The Pats would go on to lose to the rival Saskatoon Blades in seven games.

One of the biggest storylines for the Pats has been the emergence of 2025 WHL Prospects Draft first overall pick Maddox Schultz and third-overall selection Liam Pue, who have been permitted to play 34 games with the Pats under the Western Canadian Development Model while spending the bulk of their season with the SMAAAHL’s Regina Pat Canadians.

Schultz, who celebrated his 16th birthday Sunday, has 29 points (15G-14A) in 34 appearances, including a wild hat trick that saw him set a Pats record as the youngest skater to net three goals in a single game.

Pue has also shown impressive flashes with 16 points (6G-10A) in 34 outings.

The Pats have hoisted the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions twice, in 1974 and 1980, and captured the Memorial Cup in 1974 with a group that featured Hockey Hall-of-Famer Clark Gillies and netminder Ed Staniowski.

Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, March 27 in Medicine Hat, Alta.

The series will turn the Brandt Centre for Games 3 and 4 on on Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1.

The full playoff schedule is expected to be released on Sunday, March 22, with ticket details for both season ticket holders and the general public to follow beginning Monday, March 23.