Schultz has ‘big footsteps to follow’ ahead of 2028 NHL Draft

Maddox Schultz, a 16-year-old center and early favourite for the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, helped Team Canada defeat Team USA 8-1 in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup final at Rogers Place on Saturday, finishing as the tournament's leading scorer. The Regina WHL draftee recorded 29 points in 34 WHL games last season after posting 60 points in 21 games in his local under-18 league. Schultz chose not to seek exceptional player status last season, a designation previously granted only to Connor Bedard (2020) and Landon DuPont (2024) in the WHL.