“The energy was fantastic. It was a great couple of games to put on for the fans that showed up, and we’re looking forward to playing at home because it’s been tons of fun, and they’re super loud,” said Patterson about playing in front of the Abbotsford fans for the first time.
Patterson says the coaches and his veteran teammates have been fantastic this season and have helped him get extra work in before and after practice.
“I’m going to work with them as much as I can until they get annoyed with me,” said Patterson with a laugh.
Abbotsford Captain Chase Wouters has been a tremendous help early on this season, and Patterson says that he and fellow Canucks' draft pick Braeden Cootes are trying to take away as much information as possible from Wouters.
“Watty is such a great centreman who wins a lot of draws. Braeden and I are both working on different things but doing it together, so we’re even picking each other’s brains to figure out what works and what doesn’t. We’ve been finding different techniques and stuff like that. I’m just having a lot of fun learning so much; it is awesome,” said Patterson.
Patterson has played fourth-line centre in each game this season, but Abbotsford Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou wants you to know that this ain’t your grandpa’s fourth line; this one can contribute.
“Everybody has the right to carry pucks and make plays, and it’s something we’re trying to instill in them. We don’t want guys that are on the so-called fourth line to play like they’re on the fourth line. Make plays, score goals.” said Papaioannou.
Patterson is excited that his head coach wants everyone in the lineup to play with confidence and creativity in the offensive zone.
“He doesn’t want us to shy away from making plays, and that’s been great to have that confidence from your head coach,” said Patterson. “You have to be strong defensively and still be responsible, but it’s nice to have confidence to be able to make plays and have some fun with creating plays in the offensive zone.”
Patterson is also developing as a penalty killer in the AHL. He killed penalties at times in the OHL and takes pride in frustrating the opposition’s top players.
“I’m willing to do whatever I can to help the team win, and wherever the coaches see me fit, that’s where I want to play,” he said. “If we can have a really strong PK, that gets them frustrated, that’s fun to do.”
Though it’s early in the season, Patterson is enjoying living like a pro and said the few weeks of experience he got at the end of last season helped him feel more comfortable this year.
The 21-year-old Patterson is one of many young players making an impact in the Abbotsford Canucks' lineup, and he hopes to keep growing and developing his game at the pro level as the season goes on.
