Nolan Patrick

Nolan James Patrick (born September 19, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted second overall by the Flyers in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Nolan Patrick
Born	September 19, 1998 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	199 lb (90 kg; 14 st 3 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Philadelphia Flyers
NHL Draft	2nd overall, 2017 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	2017–present

Early life

Patrick was born on September 19, 1998, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Playing career

Junior

As Patrick became more involved in hockey, his father transformed their family garage into a home gym and he trained with his uncle during the summer.[1] He played AAA Bantam Hockey League Division 1 ice hockey with the Winnipeg Hawks during its 2012–13 season, where he recorded 75 points in 19 games.[2] He missed nearly half of the season due to a shoulder injury, but nonetheless was regarded as a highly touted prospect.[2][3]

Patrick was selected in 1st round, fourth overall, by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. In December 2013, during the midst of the Wheat Kings' 2013–14 season, a high number of injuries to the roster caused him to be called up from the Midget AAA Winnipeg Thrashers.[4] He was initially unavailable upon being called up due to a shoulder injury, and did not play during the call-up.[5][6] He eventually played three games with the Wheat Kings at the conclusion of his Winnipeg Thrashers' season.[7][8] He began his rookie season in the 2014–15 season, where he scored 30 goals and 56 points in 55 games. Between mid-February and mid-March 2015, Patrick missed 12 games with an upper-body injury, although initial reports were that it was a lower-body injury.[9][10][11] He was subsequently awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie of the year despite missing a total of 17 games that season.[12][13]

During the 2015–16 season, Patrick finished fifth in league scoring and was the first 17-year old Wheat King to score over 100 points since 1976–77 when Ray Allison and Brian Propp both eclipsed the century mark.[14] He played an integral part in winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup, leading all players in post-season points and was named the WHL Playoff MVP.[15] After the season, it was revealed that Patrick had suffered a sports hernia injury on April 27, 2016 during Game 4 of the WHL's Eastern Conference Final series against the Red Deer Rebels and had played through the WHL Finals and 2016 Memorial Cup with the injury.[16] Following the 2015–16 campaign, he received sports hernia surgery.[16]

For the 2016–17 season, Patrick was named captain of the Wheat Kings. Beginning the season, Patrick was widely considered the top prospect of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Dan Marr, NHL director of Central Scouting said "Patrick is as complete an NHL package as you are going to find. From his pedigree, his skills, and assets, to his performance impact to date, he has everything any NHL team is looking for in a top prospect."[17] After playing six games to begin the season, however, the Wheat Kings announced on October 14, 2016 that Patrick had once again been sidelined with an upper-body injury.[18] Despite initially being diagnosed as day-to-day, the injury continued through November, when it was revealed to be a complication of the previous season's sports hernia injury.[19] On December 5, 2016, Hockey Canada announced that Patrick had not been medically cleared to participate in Team Canada's 2017 World Junior training camp and thus would not play in the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[20]

Patrick selected by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Despite missing most of the regular season and all four playoff games due to injuries, Patrick was ranked the No. 1 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. Dan Marr stated "He has more than proven over the last three years that he is the real deal and he will be an impact NHL player". On June 23, 2017, Nolan Patrick was selected 2nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2017 NHL Draft.[21] On July 17, 2017, Patrick was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.[22] Before the Flyers development camp started, it was announced Patrick would not participate because he was recovering from abdominal surgery performed on June 13, 2017.[23]

Professional

Patrick made his NHL debut on October 4, 2017 against the San Jose Sharks.[24] He registered his first NHL point in his third game with an assist on sophomore Ivan Provorov's goal against the Anaheim Ducks in a 3–2 OT victory. He scored his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators in his fourth game on October 10, 2017. Patrick scored his first goal with 9:25 remaining in the second period.[25] Patrick was hit by Anaheim Ducks player Chris Wagner on October 24, 2017 and missed 9 games to recover from the injury.[26][27][28] Patrick ended the regular season with 30 points in 73 games.

In his rookie season, the Flyers made the Stanley Cup playoffs and faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. In Game 2 of the series, Patrick notched his first NHL Playoff goal.[29] Patrick ended the post-season with 2 points in 6 games. On July 21, 2018, Patrick was selected as the number 1 breakout player for 2018–19 by NHL Network.[30]

Patrick did not participate in the Flyers' 2019–20 pre-season due to migraines.[31] The Flyers listed him as day-to-day and he was not expected to be ready to start the 2019–20 season with the team.[32] Although he hoped to play before the season concluded,[33] he began skating with the team during practice in February 2020[34] before the league shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the league began their "Return to Play Plan", he was not invited to the Flyers camp.[35]

On October 16, 2020, Patrick accepted the Flyers' one-year, $874,125 qualifying offer.[36]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
IH18
	2014

In November 2014, Patrick was named captain for Canada Red at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.[37]

Patrick was not medically cleared to play for Team Canada at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships,[38] although he was later invited to Team Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase prior to the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[39]

Personal life

Patrick has an impressive athletic lineage. His father, Steve, played 250 games in the NHL and his mother, Carrie (née Chernomaz), played volleyball with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen and the Canadian national volleyball team – she earned a Team Canada roster spot for the 1996 Summer Olympics but a torn ACL prevented her from participating. On his paternal side, his grandfather, Stephen Patrick, played football for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and later became a politician. His uncle, James Patrick, played 1,280 games in the NHL and served as assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars prior to securing his current position as head coach of the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL. As a teen, Patrick trained with his uncle during the summer and has credited his uncle's influence as “huge” to his career.[40] His paternal aunt, Tara, played collegiate volleyball at the University of Winnipeg where she and Patrick's mother were teammates.[41] On his maternal side, his uncle, Rich Chernomaz, played 51 games in the NHL and currently serves as head coach of the Ravensburg Towerstars of the DEL2.[42]

Patrick's two sisters also play hockey. His older sister, Madison, was a defenceman with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds from 2014 to 2019.[43] His younger sister, Aimee, is committed to the University of Manitoba Bisons and will be a freshman for the 2020–21 season.[44][45]

Patrick is of Ukrainian descent through his paternal great-grandfather, with the original family surname being "Patrebka."[46]

Patrick and his family are also avid hunters. They own a cabin on Falcon Lake where he hunts with a rifle, bow, or spear.[47]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013–14	Winnipeg Thrashers	MMHL		39	33	30	63	42		8	3	7	10	6
2013–14	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL		3	1	0	1	0		9	0	0	0	2
2014–15	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL		55	30	26	56	19		19	8	7	15	14
2015–16	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL		72	41	61	102	41		21	13	17	30	16
2016–17	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL		33	20	26	46	36		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		73	13	17	30	30		6	1	1	2	0
2018–19	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		72	13	18	31	27		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				145	26	35	61	57		6	1	1	2	0

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2014	Canada Red	U17	6th		5	0	5	5	6
2015	Canada	IH18			4	3	2	5	6
Junior totals					9	3	7	10	12

References

1. Rutherford, Kristina (2017). "Big Read: Nolan Patrick's unconventional road to the NHL". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
2. Tim Campbell. "Wheat Kings land Patrick after draft day deal". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
3. Jared Story. "Loschiavo ready for Challenge Cup". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
4. Chris Jaster (December 27, 2013). "Wheat Kings set to start second half". The Brandon Sun.
5. "Game #36 – Regina at Wheat Kings (December 27, 2013)". December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
6. Dan Falloon (January 10, 2014). "Thrasher sharpened by Blades in WHL debut". The Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
7. "Patrick Joining Wheat Kings". March 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
8. "Nolan Patrick at EliteProspects". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
9. James Shawega (February 17, 2015). "Wheat Kings rolling on the road". The Brandon Sun.
10. Rob Henderson (February 25, 2015). "Hawryluk makes up for lost time". The Brandon Sun.
11. Rob Henderson (March 18, 2015). "WHL leaders have battled major injuries". The Brandon Sun.
12. TSN (May 6, 2015). "Brandon Wheat Kings' Nolan Patrick crowned WHL's top rookie". Global News. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
13. "Wheat Kings Win Two WHL Awards". May 6, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
14. "WHEAT KINGS LEADERSHIP GROUP UNVEILED – Brandon Wheat Kings". wheatkings.com. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
15. "Brandon Wheat Kings Win 2016 WHL Championship Series – WHL Network". new.whl.ca. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
16. Mike Sawatzky (September 23, 2016). "Wheat Kings star Patrick 'getting close' to returning to WHL champions". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
17. "Nolan Patrick highlights Central Scouting's 'Players to Watch' list". Retrieved October 4, 2016.
18. Mike G. Morreale (October 14, 2016). "2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick out with upper-body injury". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
19. Mike G. Morreale (November 16, 2016). "2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick out 2–3 more weeks". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
20. "Nolan Patrick to miss World Junior Championship". December 5, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
21. "2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick of Brandon ranked No. 1". NHL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
22. "Flyers sign Nolan Patrick to entry-level contract". Philadelphia Flyers. July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
23. Kimelman, Adam (June 30, 2017). "Nolan Patrick of Flyers recovering from abdominal surgery". NHL.com. NHL. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
24. "Flyers-Sharks thoughts: The Nolan Patrick-led youth movement begins tonight". NBC Sports Philadelphia. October 4, 2017.
25. Andrew Porter (October 11, 2017). "Wayne Simmonds Gets Puck For Nolan Patrick After 1st NHL Goal". CBS Philly.
26. "Flyers' Nolan Patrick leaves game against Ducks". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. October 24, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
27. "Flyers' Nolan Patrick to return to lineup vs. Jets". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
28. Seravalli, Frank (November 15, 2017). "Patrick hoping for hometown return from latest injury setback". TSN.com. TSN. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
29. Meltzer, Bill (April 16, 2018). "Meltzer: Kids Are Having Impact". NHL.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
30. Dougherty, Tom (July 21, 2018). "Nolan Patrick selected as No. 1 breakout player for 2018-19 by NHL Network". NBCSports.com. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
31. Rosen, Dan (September 26, 2019). "Patrick week to week for Flyers with migraine disorder". NHL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
32. O'Brien, James (September 26, 2019). "Nolan Patrick won't be ready for start of Flyers' season". nhl.nbcsports.com. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
33. Carchidi, Sam (February 17, 2020). "Nolan Patrick on ice for Flyers at practice; says he expects to play this season". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
34. "Patrick skates with Flyers, no timetable for return". nhl.com. February 5, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
35. "Patrick (migraines) not on Flyers' camp roster". tsn.ca. July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
36. "Flyers center Nolan Patrick accepts Qualifying Offer". NHL.com. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
37. Brien, David (November 7, 2014). "From Kings to Captains". hockeycanada.ca. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
38. "Top-ranked Nolan Patrick won't play for Canada at world juniors". sportsnet.ca. December 5, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
39. Kimelman, Adam (June 20, 2017). "Canada invites Nolan Patrick to World Junior Summer Showcase". nhl.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
40. "THE PATRICKS' IMPACT ON WINNIPEG – Brandon Wheat Kings". wheatkings.com. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
41. Sawatzky, Mike (January 23, 2020). "St. Mary's Academy prep team star latest in long line of hockey-playing Patricks". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
42. "Team Staff Profile: Rich Chernomaz". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
43. "Player Profile: Madison Patrick". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
44. Boylen, Rory (April 28, 2017). "Prospect of Interest: The 411 on Nolan Patrick". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
45. Kowalski, Nik (April 22, 2020). "Hockey comes naturally for Bisons recruit Aimee Patrick". University of Manitoba Athletics. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
46. Stelmach, Ihor. "Ukrainian pro hockey update". The Ukrainian Weekly. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
47. Campbell, Ken (August 31, 2017). "STRAIGHT SHOOTER: PATRICK STICKS TO HIS GUNS, TAKES AIM ON MAKING FLYERS". thehockeynews.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database