Colin Patterson

Colin Alexander Patterson (born May 11, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). An undrafted player, he signed as a free agent with the Calgary Flames in 1983 after three seasons of college hockey with the Clarkson Golden Knights. A defensive specialist, Patterson played eight years with the Flames and was a member of their 1989 Stanley Cup championship team. After missing virtually the entire 1990–91 NHL season due to a knee injury, Patterson returned to the NHL for two seasons as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. He retired in 1994 after playing one season in Slovenia for HK Olimpija Ljubljana.

Playing career

Minor and college Patterson, a native of Rexdale, Toronto, played minor hockey with the Metro Toronto Hockey League before joining the Royal York Royals of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League for two seasons. In his second season with the Royals, 1979–80, Patterson recorded 30 goals and 90 points in 41 games. A multi-sport athlete in his youth, Patterson also played lacrosse. He was a member of Canada's bronze medal-winning squad at the 1982 World Lacrosse Championship.

Several American universities expressed interest in Patterson during his junior seasons; he chose to study at Clarkson University and play hockey for the Golden Knights. He was reluctant to leave Clarkson before completing his degree, but was convinced to sign with Calgary following his junior season when the Flames agreed to pay for him to continue his studies during hockey off-seasons.

Patterson scored his first NHL goal on October 26, 1983, against goaltender Mike Liut of the St. Louis Blues. He finished with 26 points in 56 NHL games in his rookie season, then scored what were ultimately career highs with 22 goals and 43 points in 57 games in 1984–85. Patterson had 21 goals in the first 40 games of the season before missing 23 games in the second half due to knee and shoulder injuries. While he was regarded as a top defensive forward for the Flames, and played in only 39 of Calgary's 80 games in 1987–88.

Patterson's skills as a defensive forward were recognized in the 1988–89 season when he was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. He played in a career-high 74 games, recorded 38 points and his plus-minus of +44 was the third highest in the NHL. Playing on a line with star scorers Doug Gilmour and Joe Mullen, Patterson was regarded as the team's "unsung hero" and played a grinding role to generate opportunities for his teammates. In the 1989 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Patterson appeared in 22 games and recorded a career high 13 points as the Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship.

Injury problems returned in 1989–90 as, after recording only eight points in 61 games, Patterson's season was ended when he broke his ankle on March 24, 1990. Unsure how Patterson would return after missing the season, the Flames opted to trade him to the Buffalo Sabres prior to the 1991–92 season. Buffalo acquired him in the hopes that his character and success with Calgary would help the Sabres. Patterson played two seasons in Buffalo and recorded 18 points in 88 games. He then opted to play in Europe for his final professional season in 1993–94. With HK Olimpija Ljubljana of the Slovenian Ice Hockey League, Patterson recorded 32 goals and 83 points in just 14 games.

Patterson finished his playing career with 96 goals and 205 points in 504 games. He has been honoured multiple times by Clarkson University, for whom he served as team captain in his junior season: His uniform number 25 was retired by the school, and he was inducted into Clarkson's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. Patterson was also inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He entered the business world following his playing career and has held executive positions at several companies, including the Montreal Trust Company and then as a vice president with Shaw Cablesystems. and most recently a general manager with an energy services company. Patterson is also active within the Calgary Flames Alumni Association and often participates in the association's charity events.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1978–79 Royal York Royals OPJAHL 40 16 30 46 13 — — — — — 1979–80 Royal York Royals OPJAHL 41 30 60 90 44 — — — — — 1980–81 Clarkson Golden Knights ECAC 34 20 31 51 8 — — — — — 1981–82 Clarkson Golden Knights ECAC 34 21 31 52 32 — — — — — 1982–83 Clarkson Golden Knights ECAC 31 23 29 52 30 — — — — — 1982–83 Colorado Flames CHL 7 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 15 1983–84 Colorado Flames CHL 6 2 3 5 9 — — — — — 1983–84 Calgary Flames NHL 56 13 14 27 15 11 1 1 2 6 1984–85 Calgary Flames NHL 57 22 21 43 5 4 0 0 0 5 1985–86 Calgary Flames NHL 61 14 13 27 22 19 6 3 9 10 1986–87 Calgary Flames NHL 68 13 13 26 41 6 0 2 2 2 1987–88 Calgary Flames NHL 39 7 11 18 28 9 1 0 1 8 1988–89 Calgary Flames NHL 74 14 24 38 56 22 3 10 13 24 1989–90 Calgary Flames NHL 61 5 3 8 20 — — — — — 1990–91 Calgary Flames NHL — — — — — 1 0 0 0 0 1991–92 Buffalo Sabres NHL 52 4 8 12 30 5 1 0 1 0 1992–93 Buffalo Sabres NHL 36 4 2 6 22 8 0 1 1 2 1993–94 HK Olimpija Ljubljana Slovenia 14 32 51 83 — 6 4 8 12 —NHL totals 504 96 109 205 239 85 12 17 29 57

Awards and honours College Award Year Ref. ECAC Second Team All-Star 1982–83 AHCA East All-American 1982–83