Following a brief stint as Buffalo's skill development coach early in 2005-06, Patrick spent the remainder of that season finishing his playing career in Germany for the Frankfurt Lions before returning to the Sabres in the fall. He has had the honor of coaching the Sabres briefly, taking over on February 8, 2012 after head coach Lindy Ruff was forced to sit out a game with broken ribs sustained in an accident during a practice session.
Patrick was a first-round selection (ninth overall) of the New York Rangers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Over his 21-year career with the Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Sabres, the 42-year-old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, scored 639 points (149 goals and 490 assists) in 1280 regular season games. Prior to his retirement, Patrick was ranked ninth among active players in games played, and was one of three remaining active players from the first-round of the 1981 Draft. 
Patrick posted seven consecutive seasons (1985-92) of 40 or more points with the New York Rangers, including a career-high of 71 (14 goals and 57 assists) in 1991-92. The 71 points and 57 assists were career-bests for Patrick. He scored a career-high 17 goals in 1987-88. Patrick played six seasons in Buffalo after signing as an unrestricted free agent on June 7, 1998. He scored 74 points (23 goals and 51 assists) in 345 regular season games, and added 5 points (1 goal and 4 assists) in 38 playoff games. Patrick’s career plus/minus total of plus-104 reflects his steady defensive play. He finished as a minus in just one of six seasons in Buffalo, and in just six of his 21 seasons.
Patrick is also a veteran of international competition, having won championships for Team Canada at the 1982 World Junior Championships and 1987 Canada Cup tournaments, and bronze with the 1983 World Junior team. He also represented Canada in the 1984 Winter Olympics, and the 1983, 1987, 1998 and 2002 World Championships. |
