Unheralded Canucks prospect out to hot start in rookie AHL season
The Vancouver Canucks have had plenty of Petterssons in recent years; maybe it’s time for a Patterson.
Riley Patterson could have returned to the OHL this season.
The Canucks’ fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft is still just 20 years old and doesn’t turn 21 until next March. He could have played in the OHL as an overaged skater, and the Niagara IceDogs likely would have welcomed him back after he put up 40 goals and 84 points in 60 games last season.
Instead, Patterson turned pro, and now he’s turning heads with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL.
It was the right call for his career and his development, as there was little left for him to learn at the OHL level.
He’s proving that by getting off to a hot start in his rookie professional season. Patterson is tied for third in rookie scoring with eight points in nine games. Both players ahead of him, Luke Mittelstadt and Jesse Kiiskinen, are older than Patterson.
While most of Patterson’s points early in the season were a result of making simple passes and going to the net at the right time — both legitimate skills that will serve him well in his professional career — he’s mixed in a couple of more impressive plays.
Patterson’s goal at 1:14 in the above video comes on an impressive shot, as he picks his spot just over the left pad and inside the far post.
His assist at 3:19, however, is his best play of the young season. Gavin White’s pass on the zone entry was too far ahead of Patterson for him to have a chance at going for goal himself, but he simply picks his head up and fires a precision backhand pass through the legs of a defender right into the wheelhouse of Jacob Quillan for a one-timer.
That’s impressive vision and execution, and it speaks to the development of his offensive game. Originally more of a one-dimensional goalscorer who used his speed and quick release to put the puck in the net, Patterson has become far more adept at using his teammates.
“The two-way savvy, wall game, and general connectedness that he displayed with his linemates on the Canucks’ second line are suggestive of long-term bottom-six upside,” said Elite Prospects’ J.D. Burke in one scouting report from this season. “The goal-scorer’s feel that defined so much of his prior work in junior has instead given way to a more measured approach, mostly expressed in the form of quick touches and support play; he’s positioning himself to extend possessions rather than finish them.”
What’s particularly impressive about his production is that it’s primarily coming while in a depth role. Pattersson is mainly playing as Abbotsford’s fourth-line centre, but is producing despite not getting top-six ice time or prime time on the power play.
In fact, all of his points have come at even strength.
If Patterson continues to produce, one has to think his role will grow. He’s currently third on Abbotsford in scoring — one point behind Ty Mueller and Trey Fix-Wolansky — and he’s already getting the occasional opportunity further up the lineup.
Add in a solid two-way game and NHL-caliber speed, and Patterson is looking like a great bet to play a role in the Canucks’ future, and is looking like a great draft find in the fourth round.
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