Assistant coach Robinson believes newbie Patterson will prove valuable for Blaze - The Coventry Observer

Assistant coach Robinson believes newbie Patterson will prove valuable for Blaze

Coventry Editorial 3rd Jul, 2017   0

ICE HOCKEY: NEWLY appointed Coventry Blaze assistant coach Brett Robinson is looking forward to working with Canadian defenceman Gaelan Patterson for a third season.

The La Ronge, Saskatchewan native joins the club from Chamonix-Morzine of the French Ligue Magnus where – after signing in November of last year – he posted three goals and 14 assists in 29 games.

Before that, the 6’1″ left shooter had an impressive first season in Europe with Norwegian side Sparta Sarpsborg – registering 27 points in 51 games.

Prior to his European adventure, the 26-year-old signed a three-year entry level deal with the NHL’s Calgary Flames in 2009.




Patterson logged 120 games in the AHL with the Abbotsford Heat before playing with the Utah Grizzles and Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL.

Whilst now considered a defenceman, parts of Patterson pro-career in North America – and particularly at junior level with Saskatoon Blades of the WHL – were spent as a forward.


Registering 142 points in 263 WHL games, such versatility could prove crucial over the course of the EIHL season.

Player and assistant coach Brett Robinson said: “I’ve had the pleasure of playing with Gaelan for two seasons in Idaho and I’m extremely excited to make it a third in Coventry.

“The first thing that our fans will love about him is his skating – he can fly.

“He has the ability to raise you out of your seat and change the game with his speed from the back-end.

“But, he also fills a lot of other areas for us.

“He plays a great full-ice, two-way game, and he makes it very tough on other teams with his speed and ability to jump in the rush and add extra offence from a defensive position.

“He comes with good experience in some of the highest leagues throughout North America and Europe and will be expected to eat up high level minutes in all situations for us.

“His ability on the powerplay is a big attraction to Danny and myself.

“He has great vision and his passing ability will be a huge asset.

“We are extremely excited to have him on-board.”

Picture: Sparta Sarpsborg. 

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