PATRICK CLOSE TO RETURNING
Brandon, MB. – One day after being selected to play in next month’s Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game, Brandon Wheat Kings’ center Nolan Patrick says that he is close to returning to the defending Western Hockey League Champions’ lineup.
Patrick, who hasn’t played a game since early October, plans to be back on the ice when the club’s weeklong Christmas break comes to an end on Boxing Day. While the team plays four games – two at home and two away – between Christmas and New Year’s, the 18-year old Winnipeg product is aiming to return to the lineup in early January.
The 2016 WHL Playoff Most Valuable Player, who became the first 17-year old Wheat King in forty years to reach the century mark in points when he scored 41 goals and 102 points in 2015-16, has been limited to just six games this season after undergoing off season hernia surgery.
In those six games, the former first round bantam draft choice has four goals and 9 points. In 136 career WHL games, Patrick has 168 points, including 76 goals.
Patrick was one of two Wheat Kings to be invited to attend Canada’s National Junior Selection Camp this week but was unable to participate due to injury. Defenceman Kale Clague meanwhile was one of 22 players named to Canada’s final roster on Wednesday night.
On Wednesday morning, Patrick was one of two Brandon forwards to be invited to attend the 2017 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game, scheduled to be played January 30th in Quebec City.
National Hockey League Central Scouting director Dan Marr describes the game as “a unique opportunity for NHL scouts and general managers to evaluate top CHL talent for the 2017 NHL Draft in a best-on-best competition.”
Joining Patrick in Quebec City will be 17-year old Winnipeg product Stelio Mattheos, who was the first overall selection in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.
Meanwhile the Wheat Kings play their final pre-Christmas home game Friday night when the Saskatoon Blades pay a visit to Westman Place. This will be Brandon’s first home game in over three weeks.
Tickets to the game, which will feature the annual Shoppers Mall Teddy Bear Toss in support of the local Christmas Cheer Registry, are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com
