The Regina Pats Hockey Club announced several changes to its Hockey Operations department, necessitated by Allan Millar being named the new General Manager of Canada’s National Junior Team and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. He will also oversee the national under-17 program.
With Millar’s departure, the Pats have promoted Dale Derkatch to General Manager, making him the 21st GM in franchise history. Additionally, Tristan Frei has been promoted to Assistant General Manager, and Max Paddock has been named Manager of Hockey Operations.
Pats CEO Gordon Pritchard says that it is an important day for the organization.
“While it is certainly tough to see Alan move on, we couldn’t be more excited about promoting three great individuals within our organization to new roles.”
Millar has guided the rebuilding Regina Pats as Vice-President, Hockey Operations and General Manager for the past two seasons. During his tenure, he revitalized the club’s roster and prospect pool with young talent and valuable draft capital. Under his leadership, the Pats made franchise history by selecting three players in the first round of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.
Taking over will be 60-year-old Dale Derkatch, who rejoined the Pats in July 2024 as Assistant General Manager and led the club’s scouting efforts during the 2024–25 season.
Derkatch brings 13 years of NHL scouting experience, most recently with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2022–24). He previously worked as a travelling scout for the Pats in 2021–22 and as an amateur scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2015–20) and Washington Capitals (1998–2004).
In the WHL, Derkatch was Head Coach of the Pats in 2008–09 and served as Director of Player Personnel for the Prince Albert Raiders (2009–15), contributing to their 2019 WHL Championship roster.
Derkatch played for the Pats from 1981–85, recording 491 points in 204 games—still the most in franchise history. His number 16 was retired on December 5, 1998.
“It is truly an honour and a privilege to lead a team that I have played for, coached, scouted, and served as part of the Hockey Operations staff. I would also like to thank Alan Millar for the vision he laid out for the organization, one he invited me to be a part of. I’m sad to see him leave, as I enjoyed every minute of our time working together, but I’m very happy for him and his new opportunity. I’m extremely excited and motivated for the next chapter in my career and for what the future holds for the Regina Pats Hockey Club.”
Frei, 29, joined the Pats in August 2023 as Manager, Hockey Operations. Over the past two seasons, the Regina native supported both player development and scouting.
Paddock, 25, continues as the club’s Goaltending Coach while taking on expanded responsibilities as Manager, Hockey Operations. The Brandon, Man., product played for the Pats from 2016 to 2020 and helped backstop the team to the 2018 Memorial Cup Final.
