Gaelan Patterson, 30, is the new director of hockey operations with the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Assn. (Patricia Skalicky)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

new hire

NMHA hires director of hockey operations

Apr 17, 2021 | 7:00 AM

NANAIMO — A new position has been created by Nanaimo Minor Hockey to oversee the development of its players and coaches.

The Nanaimo Minor Hockey Asssociation (NMHA) announced Gaelan Patterson, 30, will be responsible for creating a standardized curriculum for the association, home to 750 players and more than 100 coaches.

Patterson comes to NMHA from his hometown of LaRonge, Saskatchewan, where he served as the assistant coach and assistant general manager of the SJHL’s Ice Wolves.

Patterson said fostering a fun environment for everybody involved with NMHA is a top priority.

“It’s not just about winning all the time, it’s about getting better every day and having fun on the ice, and that’s what I definitley want to push and the association does that already. I think it’s a really good fit.”

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Patterson’s first day on the job was Wednesday, April 14. where he began assembling spring ice sessions.

He has a long hockey resume as a player and coach, including a successful playing career with the Saskatoon Blades, leading to the Calgary Flames selecting the forward in the seventh round of the 2009 draft.

Patterson played eight seasons of pro hockey in North America, while he also made stops in England, France and Norway.

In addition to catering to players with recreational interests, Patterson said he intends to provide guidance for athletes who take the game more seriously.

“I hope to move them up to the next level,” Patterson said. “I’m focussed on their development so they can go to tournaments, do really well and get that confidence that you get from that. It’s going to be a wide range of things and different things to work with for each age group.”

Patterson’s hire is designed to ease pressure on the NMHA board of directors to focus on growth, marketing and retention.

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