Pats Ink Manitoba U18 AAA Defenceman of the Year Aaron Krestanowich

April 18, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release

Regina, Sask. - The Regina Pats Hockey Club is pleased to announce that they have signed 2006-born defenceman Aaron Krestanowich to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

"I think this signing is really big," Regina Pats Director of Scouting Dale McMullin said. "Aaron came to Regina for a visit during the regular season and saw how the organization works and how the players are treated. He's a pretty well-rounded hockey player and when you talk to him off the ice, he's a great kid.

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 and finishing fourth in points, earning the league's Defenceman of the Year award as well as First Team All-Star. The Winnipeg , Man. product has won back-to-back league championships (2021-22 & 2022-23) with the Wild.

The 6-foot-1, 181 lb. left-shot defenceman was drafted by the Pats in the fifth-round (92nd overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. He becomes the fourth member of the Pats 2021 draft class to sign with the club, joining Jaxsin and Corbin Vaughan, and Raiden Zacharias.

"He's shown all the attributes in the Manitoba U18 AAA league that he could potentially be a top-four defenceman in the WHL," McMullin said. "He's got offensive instincts, he makes good decisions, he's poised with the puck, and he wears a letter for his team [Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA]. His coach relied on him immensely as when we watched him, he was probably playing 30 minutes a game. He's a good hockey player and a good kid who I think will do his part to improve and get better as we move forward.

The Pats are excited to officially welcome Aaron and his family to the City of Regina and the organization.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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