WHL careers of Regina Pats’ 20-year-olds come to an end in shortened season

The season came to an abrupt end for the Regina Pats and so did the WHL careers of three of their players.

Forwards Austin Pratt and Robbie Holmes and defenceman Zach Wytinck were the team’s 20-year-olds this season. The WHL announced on Wednesday it would be cancelling the remaining games of the regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, with Regina out of the playoff race, it meant the Pats’ season was finished.

“It’s one of those things that you understand it and why everything is happening but you don’t want it to happen just solely on the fact you don’t want hockey to be done yet,” said Pratt, who was the team’s captain during the 2019-20 campaign.

The Pats played their final game on March 11, a 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Ice at the Brandt Centre.

“(We found out when) the practice day got cancelled and the NHL did the same thing and postponed their season. We kind of knew what was coming,” Pratt said.

“It still doesn’t feel real. It feels like any moment that they’re going to call us back to finish off the regular season but that’s not going to happen. It’s kind of sinking in day by day that it is over.”

Pratt began his career with the Red Deer Rebels before getting traded to the Pats during the 2017-18 season. In his career, he played in 317 games and recorded 174 points (76 goals, 98 assists).

“Over these past five years, I got to experience some amazing players, got to play with and against some all-stars and I just got to experience a lot of kids’ dreams,” Pratt said. “I took everything to heart and I really enjoyed my five years. Coming to the Pats was the best thing ever for me.”

Pratt said the two memories that will stand out for him was the Outdoor Classic at Mosaic Stadium on Dec. 27 — the Pats won 5-2 over the Calgary Hitmen — and scoring a goal in the 2018 Memorial Cup tournament.

Another player whose WHL career came to an even earlier end was Holmes, who spent the majority of his WHL career with the Pats. Holmes was suspended after an altercation during a game against the Moose Jaw Warriors on March 3 and was scheduled to return from his suspension on March 14.

“It’s definitely unfortunate it ended a couple weeks ago but I guess I went out with a bang if you look at it,” Holmes said. “It’s definitely challenging for sure.”

Holmes was taken in the 11th round of the 2014 WHL draft and his only time away from the Pats was when he was traded to the Everett Silvertips during the 2018-19 season. He was then reacquired by the Pats before the 2019-20 season began.

“Regina has been home to me,” Holmes said. “The whole time has been an absolute blast. It has been huge for me growing as a player and a person. I was very fortunate to go to such a great organization.”

Holmes said his favourite memories as a Pat were going to the WHL finals in 2016-17 and playing in the Memorial Cup final the next season.

“That’s a kids’ lifelong dream to play in that tournament and I got to do that,” he said.

While it came to a sudden end, Holmes is grateful for the opportunity to play in the WHL.

“It was better than I ever imagined. I loved every moment of it. I always wanted to play in the WHL and it was the best time of my life,” Holmes said.

Pratt said he plans on suiting up for the University of Regina Cougars next season. Holmes will see if there are any opportunities to play professionally before deciding if he will take the university route.