The Regina Pats have signed their 2022 first-round draft pick Cole Temple to a contract.

The fifteen-year-old was selected fifth overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.

Temple led the U15 Winnipeg AAA Hockey League in points (108) while finishing second in goals (58) and third in assists (50) with the Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA team.

The Brandon, Manitoba product also produced 30 points (15G-15A) in just 11 playoff games, leading his team to the league championship.

“They [Regina] were probably the team I talked to the most,” Temple said. “It’s a great feeling, and I’m very excited to get things going, but the job has just started. The story is just beginning, so I’m excited for what the future holds and what happens next.”

“I love to score goals, and I’ve always been that kind of guy,” he added. “In front of the net gives you the best chance to score, and I’ve always went to the net. I just want to work hard and get better and stronger every day. I just want to push myself to get better.”

Regina Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock praised the 15-year-old, comparing him to former Pat Sam Steel.

“My comparison in my own mind is Sam Steel,” Paddock said. “I think there are a lot of those things in him as far as skating ability and playmaking. They’re both that kind of player. One was taken at two and the other at five, but if we were picking at two, we would have taken him. He’s going to be a very good player in this league.”

The connection to the Temple family between Paddock and Director of Scouting Dale McMullin runs deep, as Cole’s grandfather Ted was a goaltender for the Brandon Wheat Kings, the same club that both Paddock and McMullin played for.