Bradley sad to go, but eager to turn pro
Pats forward joins number of teammates taking next step as he signs AHL contract
Matt Bradley’s next step will be a big one.
The 20-year-old centre had mixed emotions on Tuesday when he walked out of the Brandt Centre for the last time as a member of the Regina Pats.
Although it was difficult to leave behind a four-year junior career, Bradley is eager for what’s to come after signing an AHL contract earlier this week.
“I’m really excited to make the jump,” said Bradley, whose deal with an unidentified team is to be announced sometime next month. “There were times when everybody else was signing contracts and I kind of got a little down. I wasn’t really hopeful that I was going to get one, but to sign one (now) is awesome.”
Bradley was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens, but he became a free agent when they didn’t sign him before last summer’s deadline.
Bradley received interest from multiple teams this season while compiling 37 goals and 79 points in 72 games. He also benefited from increased exposure as part of the host team in the 2018 Memorial Cup.
“We had the spotlight on us all year,” Bradley said. “It helps when you’re playing with good players, too.”
Bradley spent the first three years of his WHL career with the Medicine Hat Tigers, who traded him to Regina last summer. He knew it was a huge opportunity at the time but the experience ended up surpassing his expectations.
“When you first get traded to the host team, all you really think about is ‘Memorial Cup, Memorial Cup,’” said Bradley, whose team lost 3-0 to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in Sunday’s final. “It was an awesome year, best year of juniors yet. I made a lot of friendships and learned a lot from these coaches. They’re amazing. This organization is unbelievable — the most pro, first-class organization. They treat their players and their players’ families like no other.
“I’m really lucky to have spent my last year of juniors here.”
Bradley is one of three overage players who exhausted his junior eligibility with Regina on Sunday, along with fellow NHL prospects Cameron Hebig (Edmonton Oilers) and Jesse Gabrielle (Boston Bruins).
The Pats will also lose Libor Hajek (Tampa Bay Lightning), Sam Steel (Anaheim Ducks) and Josh Mahura (Ducks). Although they still have one year of junior eligibility remaining, all three have signed NHL contracts and are expected to turn pro next season.
“It’s pretty crazy to be leaving right now,” said Mahura, who was acquired from the Red Deer Rebels midway through the 2016-17 campaign. “(Playing in Regina) has meant a lot to me. I got to play for this amazing coaching staff, owners and everyone who’s a part of this whole organization from top to bottom. It’s just an amazing place to play.”
It’s also a difficult place to leave.
“I’ll hold it close to me for the rest of my life,” added Steel, who spent his entire junior career in Regina. “You never think this day will come, but it flies by for sure. It has been a great five years since I got drafted. It feels like yesterday I was walking down here for the first time.”
It was a much shorter stay for Cale Fleury, a mid-November trade pickup from the Kootenay Ice. The veteran defenceman could return next season as a 20-yearold or turn pro with the Canadiens, who selected him in the third round in 2017.
“If I got a chance to play professional it would be great,” said Fleury, who is still unsigned. “If not, it would be a great thing coming back here, too.”
Either way, the Pats’ lineup will be decimated by a large graduation class. It’s not easy for the coaches to watch so many high-end players walk out the door, but they also understand it’s part of the business.
“I guess we’re prepared for it,” said head coach-GM John Paddock. “You just wish them the best. Some of them have really good careers in front of them. They’ve all done a great job for us and our organization.”
I made a lot of friendships and learned a lot from these coaches. They’re amazing.