From Greg Harder's Slap Shots.
Here's an updated version of the team preview that appeared in our Pats supplement (a special pull-out section in Thursday's Leader-Post). There's nothing really new here but it does provide a basic overview.
REGINA PATS
Last season: 27-39-1-5, 10th in Eastern Conference; missed playoffs.
General manager: Brent Parker (15th season).
Head coach: Curtis Hunt (fifth).
Assistants: Shaun Sutter (first), Todd Strueby (fourth), Ryan Cyr (goalie coach, third).
Key losses: D Victor Bartley, LW Matt Robertson (both graduated).
The 20-year-olds: C Mitch Czibere, D Matt Delahey, RW Brett Leffler and LW Matt Strueby (one must go).
The imports: Veteran Slovak LW Tomas Hricina and rookie Czech LW Michal Poletin.
Key returnees: Regina’s fate hinges on the return of RW Jordan Eberle, D Colten Teubert and D Matt Delahey from NHL camps . . . RW Brett Leffler (33 goals) and LW Matt Strueby (25) need to build upon their breakout seasons, providing offensive support for Eberle and C Jordan Weal, last year’s top rookie in the Eastern Conference . . . Hricina has the physical tools for a breakout sophomore year . . . Hard-working RW Garrett Mitchell is ready to become a team leader . . . Alex Pym could be the key to the defence if he responds to a top-four role.
New faces: LW Jason Gardiner, 18 (trade from Tri-City) and C Brayden Metz, 19 (waiver claim from Moose Jaw) . . . Seven rookies — G Dawson Guhle, D Myles Bell, D Tyler Borstmayer, D Brandon Davidson, LW Lucas Froese, Poletin and C Andrew Rieder.
Watch for: Damien Ketlo to be under the microscope as Regina’s new starter after Linden Rowat was sent home to await a trade . . . Bell to be a fixture on the blueline at age 16.
Just notes: Hunt is back for his second stint with Regina after a year in the Ottawa Senators’ organization. He replaces Pats legend Dale Derkatch, who was fired after one season.
Did you know: Eberle and Teubert are expected to reprise their roles with Canada at the world juniors in Saskatoon and Regina.
The prognosis: Expectations are low for a lineup that’s eerily similar to last season’s underachieving group. However, the stabilizing influence of Hunt, combined with the presence of elite talent like Eberle, Teubert and Weal, should allow Regina to get back into the playoffs, perhaps even surprise some people.
~NOTABLE~
Howe keeps climbing the Pats' All-Time Lists
At the end of the 2023-24 Pats, captain Tanner Howe has continued to climb the record ladder. He has now jumped into the top 100 in terms of...
~Pats Retired Numbers~
#1 Ed Staniowski [1971-1975]
Number retired: Feb. 18, 2000
#7 Jordan Eberle [2006-2010]
Number retired: Dec. 5, 2012
#8 Brad Hornung [1984-1987]
Number retired: Oct. 25, 1987
#9 Clark Gillies [1971-1974]
Number retired: Feb. 18, 2000
#12 Doug Wickenheiser [1977-1980]
Number retired: Mar. 13, 1999
#14 Dennis Sobchuk [1971-1974]
Number retired: May 12, 1974
#15 Jock Callander [1978-1982]
Number retired: Feb. 18, 2018
#16 Dale Derkatch [1981-1985]
Number retired: Dec. 5, 1998
#16 Mike Sillinger [1987-1991]
Number retired: Jan. 14, 2011
#17 Bill Hicke [1954-1958]
Number retired since 1958
Number retired: Feb. 18, 2000
#7 Jordan Eberle [2006-2010]
Number retired: Dec. 5, 2012
#8 Brad Hornung [1984-1987]
Number retired: Oct. 25, 1987
#9 Clark Gillies [1971-1974]
Number retired: Feb. 18, 2000
#12 Doug Wickenheiser [1977-1980]
Number retired: Mar. 13, 1999
#14 Dennis Sobchuk [1971-1974]
Number retired: May 12, 1974
#15 Jock Callander [1978-1982]
Number retired: Feb. 18, 2018
#16 Dale Derkatch [1981-1985]
Number retired: Dec. 5, 1998
#16 Mike Sillinger [1987-1991]
Number retired: Jan. 14, 2011
#17 Bill Hicke [1954-1958]
Number retired since 1958
~PATS BUILDERS~
February 29, 2008
Lorne Davis
Graham Tuer
Bob Turner
October 8, 2010
Al Ritchie
Gord Staseson
Del Wilson
March 12, 2014
Dr. Ralph Berdan
Dr. Ian Hill
Gary Renner
Bill White
Lorne Davis
Graham Tuer
Bob Turner
October 8, 2010
Al Ritchie
Gord Staseson
Del Wilson
March 12, 2014
Dr. Ralph Berdan
Dr. Ian Hill
Gary Renner
Bill White
~PATS ALL-TIME POINT LEADERS~
491 - Dale Derkatch (1981-85)
419 - Mike Sillinger (1987-91)
416 - Dennis Sobchuk (1971-74)
385 - Jordan Weal (2007-12)
376 - Len Nielsen (1982-87)
368 - Jock Callander (1978-82)
352 - Doug Wickenheiser (1977-80)
352 - Josh Holden (1994-98)
342 - Louis Dumont (1990-94)
338 - Sam Steel (2013-18)
335 - Adam Brooks (2012-17)
334 - Brett Lysak (1996-01)
329 - Brian Varga (1978-81)
311 - Frank Kovacs (1987-92)
310 - Jordan Eberle (2006-10)
419 - Mike Sillinger (1987-91)
416 - Dennis Sobchuk (1971-74)
385 - Jordan Weal (2007-12)
376 - Len Nielsen (1982-87)
368 - Jock Callander (1978-82)
352 - Doug Wickenheiser (1977-80)
352 - Josh Holden (1994-98)
342 - Louis Dumont (1990-94)
338 - Sam Steel (2013-18)
335 - Adam Brooks (2012-17)
334 - Brett Lysak (1996-01)
329 - Brian Varga (1978-81)
311 - Frank Kovacs (1987-92)
310 - Jordan Eberle (2006-10)
~PATS ALL-TIME GOAL LEADERS~
222 - Dale Derkatch (1981-85)
191 - Dennis Sobchuk (1971-74)
178 - Mike Sillinger (1987-91)
167 - Fran Huck (1962-65)
167 - Josh Holden (1994-98)
159 - Gary Butler (1956-61)
158 - Doug Wickenheiser (1977-80)
158 - Jock Callander (1978-82)
155 - Jordan Eberle (2006-10)
154 - Louis Dumont (1990-94)
191 - Dennis Sobchuk (1971-74)
178 - Mike Sillinger (1987-91)
167 - Fran Huck (1962-65)
167 - Josh Holden (1994-98)
159 - Gary Butler (1956-61)
158 - Doug Wickenheiser (1977-80)
158 - Jock Callander (1978-82)
155 - Jordan Eberle (2006-10)
154 - Louis Dumont (1990-94)
~PATS ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS~
269 - Dale Derkatch (1981-85)
266 - Len Nielsen (1982-87)
250 - Jordan Weal (2007-12)
241 - Mike Sillinger (1987-91)
225 - Dennis Sobchuk (1971-74)
216 - Adam Brooks (2012-17)
215 - Sam Steel (2013-18)
210 - Jock Callander (1978-82)
200 - Brian Varga (1978-81)
194 - Doug Wickenheiser (1977-80)
266 - Len Nielsen (1982-87)
250 - Jordan Weal (2007-12)
241 - Mike Sillinger (1987-91)
225 - Dennis Sobchuk (1971-74)
216 - Adam Brooks (2012-17)
215 - Sam Steel (2013-18)
210 - Jock Callander (1978-82)
200 - Brian Varga (1978-81)
194 - Doug Wickenheiser (1977-80)
~PATS ALL-TIME GP LEADERS~
352 - Frank Kovacs (1987-92)
331 - Brett Lysak (1996-01)
317 - Adam Brooks (2012-17)
309 - Brett Leffler (2004-10)
287 - Doug Piper (1960-65)
287 - David McDonald (1999-04)
282 - Matt Hubbauer (1998-03)
282 - Jordan Weal (2007-12)
280 - Mark Janssens (1984-88)
280 - Perry Johnson (1993-97)
331 - Brett Lysak (1996-01)
317 - Adam Brooks (2012-17)
309 - Brett Leffler (2004-10)
287 - Doug Piper (1960-65)
287 - David McDonald (1999-04)
282 - Matt Hubbauer (1998-03)
282 - Jordan Weal (2007-12)
280 - Mark Janssens (1984-88)
280 - Perry Johnson (1993-97)
~PATS ALL-TIME PIM LEADERS~
817 - Gerad Adams (1995-99)
796 - Barret Jackman (1997-01)
773 - Al Tuer (1980-83)
725 - Frank Kovacs (1987-92)
626 - Kyle Freadrich (1996-99)
608 - Mark Janssens (1984-88)
607 - Barry Ziegler (1978-81)
595 - Bryan Wells (1984-87)
595 - Garth Murray (1997-02)
570 - Clark Gillies (1971-74)
796 - Barret Jackman (1997-01)
773 - Al Tuer (1980-83)
725 - Frank Kovacs (1987-92)
626 - Kyle Freadrich (1996-99)
608 - Mark Janssens (1984-88)
607 - Barry Ziegler (1978-81)
595 - Bryan Wells (1984-87)
595 - Garth Murray (1997-02)
570 - Clark Gillies (1971-74)