Pats 2023 Prospect Update Pt. 1

Regina, Sask. — Leading up to next week’s WHL Prospects Draft, the Regina Pats will be providing an update on the current state of its prospect pool, including both signed and unsigned prospects in a four-part series.

Today, we begin by highlighting the signed prospects from before the 2022 Draft. Our next update take place on Tuesday, May 2 where we will look at the three signed prospects from the 2022 Draft.

*Note: The order of these prospects are done by position and alphabetically.

Click for Pt. 2 | Click for Pt. 3 | Click for Pt. 4

SIGNED PROSPECTS (Pt. 1)

Kolten Bridgeman: 2006-born Defenceman – Regina Pat Canadians

Bridgeman, 16, is a 6-foot-3, 185 lb. right-shot defenceman who produced 14 points (1G-13A) in 37 games with the Regina Pat Canadians before recording eight points (2G-6A) in 12 playoff games. The Regina, Sask. product was listed by the Pats in the spring of 2022 after a strong season with the Regina Vics U18 AA club where he helped them to a league championship, scoring 23 points (10G-13A) in 34 contests and five points (1G-4A) in 10 playoff games. On September 9, 2022, Bridgeman signed with the Pats and was named to the opening night roster before playing seven regular season WHL games and one playoff contest in 2022-23.

“He’s a young guy who is starting to grow into his body and is gaining some coordination. I don’t even know how he got overlooked [going undrafted]. Dale Derkatch was on top of him [last year] and we decided to list him and he’s been nothing but a pleasant surprise. I think he’s got a ton upside if he does his part to keep improving.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin.

Aaron Krestanowich: 2006-born Defenceman – Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA

Krestanowich, 16, produced 42 points (16G-26A) in 43 games this past season with the Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA team, leading all Manitoba U18 Hockey League defencemen in goals, while finishing fourth in points. He won the league’s Defenceman of the Year award and was named a First Team All-Star in 2022-23. The Winnipeg, Man. product won back-to-back league championships with the Wild in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The 6-foot-2, 180 lb. left-shot defenceman was drafted by the Pats in the fifth round, 92nd overall, of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

“The easiest way to describe him is that he’s just a cerebral type player. When you watch him, he plays the power play with the Wild, he logs 30 minutes a game and can be a shutdown guy. He seems to have the vision, the mind to get pucks to players. He gets point shots to the net by finding seems which not a lot of kids can do. He has shown a lot of offensive upside to his game and I think he has a chance to be a top-4 defenceman. When that happens, we’re not quite sure. He seems like the type of kid who will do his part to get better everyday through our guidance with the coaching staff we have.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin.

Ty Plaisier: 2005-born Defenceman – Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL)

Plaisier, 18, completed his junior season with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, recording nine assists in 34 games, including nine points (2G-7A) in 16 playoff games before losing in the 2023 Turnbull Cup to the Steinbach Pistons. The Virden, Man. product appeared in 12 games with the Pats this past season, gathering one assist. The 6-foot-1, 168 lb. left-shot defenceman was drafted by the Pats in the fourth-round in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft and signed with the club on September 9, 2022.

“He’s a character kid who comes to the rink everyday with his hard hat and his lunch bucket, and goes to work. He still has things to work on just like any young player does but he’s still a three year player at our level [the WHL]. Based off his drive and work commitment, he has a chance to be a good player.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin.

Raiden Zacharias: 2006-born Forward – Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA

Zacharias, 17, recorded 63 points (20G-43A) in 43 games in his second season with the Blazers U18 team in 2022-23, leading the league in assists while being named a second team all-star. Along with Corban Almen and Brayden Smith, the Saskatoon, Sask. product helped the Blazers to the Saskatchewan U18 AAA Championship, totaling 13 points (3G-10A) in 11 playoff games. The 5-foot-9, 179 lb. left-shot forward played in four games with the Pats in 2021-22, earning one assist. He was drafted by the Pats in the fourth-round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

“We’re really happy with Raiden and I think he’s really taken a step from his 15-year-old year to now. He’s put up the numbers and that’s a tribute to him. When you talk to him, you see he’s a very mature kid as they all become, but he’s taken it to another level. We think he’s going to add some secondary scoring. He’s got the ability to play with top players. He’s tenacious with the puck and he makes instinctive plays. His strength has improved and I think he’s a top-9 player in our lineup. He should be a top-6 guy by 18 or 19.” – Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin.