As the Pats push for their first playoff spot since the 2022-23 season, all eyes are on Keys Fawcett, who’s emerged as the team’s leading goal scorer. With 29 goals this season, Fawcett has matched his combined total from his previous two WHL seasons. This includes his time with the Calgary Hitmen before being traded to the Pats in November 2024.
Last season, Fawcett netted just eight goals in 44 games for the Pats, raising eyebrows within the organization. They had high hopes when they traded captain Tanner Howe for him, expecting a top-tier sniper.
“At the end of the year, the coaches had talks with me,” Fawcett shared, hailing from Grimshaw, Alberta. “I had to make some tough decisions, overcome personal challenges, and refocus on hockey. That was the starting point.”
Adjusting to life away from Calgary, where he had strong ties, was no small feat. “There was stuff outside of hockey that was distracting, and I just had to clear my head,” Fawcett admitted.
Determined to turn things around, Fawcett returned early for informal workouts before this season. When asked about his distinctive first name, he mused, “I actually have no idea. I heard my dad had a friend nicknamed ‘Keys,’ so maybe it came from that.”
This season, Fawcett found chemistry on the left wing alongside No. 1 draft pick Maddox Schultz and right winger Zach Lansard. Despite Schultz and fellow prospect Liam Pue spending time with the Regina Pat Canadians, Pats head coach Brad Herauf has reunited Fawcett with his regular linemates.
“We didn’t see the best version of Fawcett last year,” Herauf noted. “We challenged him, and he put in the work. I saw his potential when he was 17, and he’s a helluva hockey player.”
Herauf likened Fawcett’s style to that of Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brandon Hagel, saying, “He can be a little ratty, but he plays fast and sometimes slows the game down. When he’s at his best, he’s moving his feet, has elite vision, and can really pass, shoot, and score.”
As the Pats embark on a three-game road trip through Alberta, Fawcett stands as the team’s top sniper. Caden Brown trails just one goal behind, and Lansard holds third place with 21 goals. The Pats recently defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 6-4 but faced a setback in Calgary, blowing a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 in overtime.