The start of a new regular season provides all teams with a fresh start and a new chance to form your own identity. The Regina Pats have a pair of prospects who have allowed that.

Some teams are able to turn a new leaf and excel with new players and sometimes with an entirely new team staff. Some teams don’t turn things around and continue to struggle, what seems like year to year.

One of the most surprising turnarounds the entire CHL has had early in this season revolves around the Regina Pats.

Their squad has seen the benefits of high-end young blood that’s being pumped into their system.

The two biggest difference makers have been 2013 NHL Entry draft eligible forward Morgan Klimchuk and 17 year old forward Dominik Volek.

Volek, the son of former NHLer David Volek, was the team’s first round (ninth overall) choice in this summer’s Import Draft. He has provided size, speed, intensity and heart to this team.. He’s also given them more offensive balance up front, something they haven’t truly had since Jordan Eberle was still a member of the Pats.

As a 1994-born player, Volek is NHL draft eligible this year. His hot start to the season and well-rounded game will surely have NHL team’s putting the Czech-born left winger on their radar.

Klimchuk’s story is different. He’s been considered a top prospect for quite some time and everybody knew what kind of player Regina was going to have join their team this year. He was the fifth overall choice in the 2010 WHL bantam draft and has light’s out speed and an elite level shot and release combo. He’s not draft eligible this year, but he’s still a youngster that needs to be watched. He had a brief appearance with them last season and is already showing that the experience happened at a perfect time.

These two young players, along with the likes of Chandler Stephenson (2012 eligible), are really making the Pats a can’t miss location for NHL scouts.