Patterson to guide MSJ icers
By Carleton Laird Staff Writer – Published: July 15, 2009
Dale Patterson likes a challenge. And he just took one on.
The 34-year-old native of Canada brings an extensive hockey background to his job as the new boys hockey coach at Mount St. Joseph Academy, assuming the reins of a team that went without a victory last winter.
All the Mounties athletics programs have suffered from low numbers the past few years and the hockey team is no exception. With around 10 skaters committed to taking the ice, Patterson and the administration must find ways to fill out the roster.
In addition to hoping more students will register at the Academy, they will look to the member-to-member program that allows students at schools that don’t offer a particular sport to play for one that does.
“I just want to get MSJ back to where they were,” Patterson said. “After all, they are just a year removed from a state championship.”
The Mounties won the Division II title in 2008.
“Do I think it’s going to be a challenge? Absolutely,” he said. “But will the kids have a positive experience, work hard and be better hockey players? Absolutely.”
Mount St. Joseph Athletic Director Marty McDonough said that the school is excited to get a coach with Patterson’s long connection to hockey.
“Dale will be able to impart technique and discipline to the returning and younger players.”
Patterson grew up in Gaspe Bay in northern Quebec and, at age 16, moved to Jonquiere, about two hours north of Quebec City, to play Midget AAA.
Two months after his 17th birthday, he came to the University of Vermont as a scholarship player. Over the course of his four years, he played with the likes of NHLers Tim Thomas, Martin St. Louis, Eric Perrin and Aaron Miller. His senior year, the team made it to the Frozen Four in Cincinnati.
Patterson later moved to Vermont and married his college sweetheart, Melissa Welch of Rutland, and started Green Mountain Routers and Lasers in West Rutland. He was Lou Goudreau’s assistant coach at MSJ for the 1999-200 season.
He has since been involved with the Rutland Amateur Hockey Association as a youth coach, working predominately with the youngest players, teaching them skating and hockey fundamentals.
“It will be good to have him back with high school players after coaching the kids,” McDonough said.
Patterson says that rebuilding the MSJ program is a process and he doesn’t know how games his team will win the first season. But he says that that the program will offer considerable one-on-one instruction and ice time for those involved.
“This is an opportunity for players that might not yet be ready to play Division I to get a lot individual attention they might not get elsewhere, to improve and have fun doing it,” he said. “I’ve always been of the belief that if you are to be successful at the next level, you have to be a dominant player at the level you’re at.”
Since accepting the job, Patterson has had offers from some former teammates and roommates.
“Guys with NHL experience have offered to help us out any way they can, whether it be in person or with autographs …”
carleton.laird@rutlandherald.com
