Dynamic duo pacing first-place Pat Canadians
Matthew Culling and Jaydon Dureau are admiring the view with the Regina Pat Canadians.
Not only do they reside at the top of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League standings (16-2-2-1), the 16-year-old forwards also play together on Regina’s first line and sit one-two in league scoring.
“This is probably the most fun I’ve had in any year of hockey,” said Dureau. “Our team is having success. We’re doing everything right to be first (in the league), so it’s really fun to be a part of.”
Dureau and Culling are a big part of that success.
“They’re two tremendously talented players, but they also work very hard at their game,” said head coach Darrin McKechnie.
“Whoever we put with them seems to do very well. They share the puck and they have good chemistry. Dureau is a natural shooter and Matthew is more a natural playmaker. Both can score. Both can make plays. But they seem to complement each other real well.” Their chemistry is no accident. Beyond natural talent, Dureau and Culling were also teammates in spring hockey and during their second year of bantam with the Notre Dame Hounds.
“We played a couple of years together, so I knew what he was like going into this year,” said Dureau. “We have old history. Being together (before) makes it a lot easier. (The chemistry) came back pretty soon.”
It showed Wednesday night in Regina’s 6-1 win over the Yorkton RawTec Maulers. Dureau had a five-point night (one goal and four assists), improving his league-high totals to 19 goals and 40 points in 21 games.
Culling had a goal and an assist, giving him 15 goals and 36 points in 21 games. He now trails Dureau by four points in the league scoring race.
“He kind of bugs me about it,” Culling said with a laugh. “It pushes us to be better. It’s all friendly fun … especially when our team is getting the wins. We get personal success when our team is playing good. There are lots of good things this year.”
Culling is no stranger to success with the Pat Canadians, who finished with the league’s best record in his rookie season (36-6-0-2). They went on to win the provincial crown and placed fourth at the 2017 Telus Cup national championship.
Dureau spent last season with the midget AAA Saskatoon Blazers, who lost to Regina in the first round of the playoffs.
He didn’t beat them, so he joined them.
“I just wanted to be closer to home,” said the White City product, who had 22 goals and 33 points in 40 games last season.
“My coaching staff and the organization (in Saskatoon) gave me a lot of opportunities as a rookie and that gave me a lot of confidence. I think it really helped me.”
Now the Pat Canadians are reaping the rewards.
“They’re both tremendously smart hockey players,” said McKechnie. “There’s a reason why both of them are going to be playing in the WHL in short order. While they’re here, they’re a big part of our club.”
Dureau was an eighth-round pick of the Portland Winterhawks in the 2016 bantam draft, while Culling was selected in the 10th round by the Edmonton Oil Kings. Both players have signed WHL contracts so they’ll likely move on next season.
“That’s my No. 1 plan,” said Culling, who looks forward to meeting his old linemate at the next level. “That would be fun. A little friendly competition there, too.” Or perhaps more of the same. “It would be pretty cool playing against him,” said Dureau. “If we somehow worked out a trade, we can be on the same team again.”