New assistant coach Gaelan Patterson will join Bob Beatty behind the Clippers bench as the new interim coaching tandem. (Patricia Skalicky)

By Dan Marshall

Bench Help

VIDEO: Clippers add new assistant coach Gaelan Patterson ahead of important divisional games

Nov 9, 2023 | 10:07 AM

NANAIMO — With the unexpected departure of Curtis Toneff from the Clippers bench the team had to act fast to rebuild their coaching staff.

Firstly the team brought back former assistant coach Bob Beatty to take on the interim head coaching duties, and then the club added Gaelan Patterson as an assistant.

Both will remain in those roles until the status of head coach Colin Birkas is cleared up by Hockey Canada. Patterson is excited to take on a new challenge in the BCHL.

“I’m super happy and I’m grateful the Clippers gave me this opportunity.”

Recently Patterson has held a head coaching role with the Port Alberni Bombers of the VIJHL as well as an assistant coaching role with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BCHL.

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“In Port Alberni I went out there in their first year in Junior B. It was a really good experience. The Bombers were a new team and we had to put together a lot of pieces and I think we did fairly well for that. We ended up making playoffs both years I was there.”

Patterson is still getting to know the players but has been impressed with the talent level of the Clippers so far.

“I see a lot of skill and there’s a lot to work with as a coach.”

Patterson and Beatty have a relationship already which Patterson believes will help as they look to take over together behind the bench mid season.

The Clippers are coming off of three consecutive losses to Chilliwack, Alberni Valley (in OT) and Cowichan Valley.

Patterson is aware the team has drawn tough opponents for his first weekend with a home date against Victoria on Friday, Nov. 10 and a visit to Alberni Valley on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Both opponents have identical 12-4 records heading into those matchups.

“They’re very strong teams and I know first hand Alberni Valley is very skilled. We’re going to need to be at our best and our guys are going to have to play our best to get wins this weekend.”

ICE CLIPS:

Clippers forward Willyam Gendron is on a seven game point streak and was given an honourable mention for the BCHL three stars of the week with four assists in two games.

Nanaimo plays the first of seven meetings against the Victoria Grizzlies on Nov. 10. Last season the Clippers had a 5-1-1 head to head record.

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