NHL Draft: Paterson grew up a Red Wings, Osgood fan
By Matt Mackinder –
PITTSBURGH – Jake Paterson said he grew up a Detroit Red Wings’ fan, so to throw on the winged wheel jersey on June 23 at the NHL draft in Pittsburgh was a dream come true.
“It’s a surreal experience, for sure,” said Paterson, a goalie for the Saginaw Spirit the Wings drafted in the third round (80th overall). “To be picked by the Wings is just an unbelievable feeling right now. I’ve always liked (Chris) Osgood (and) being a goalie, he was always one of my favorites. He’s been one of the guys who was always showing his leadership off the ice as well.”
Paterson, a Mississauga, Ontario native, said he felt he might get selected by Detroit, but admitted that any team that drafted him would be an honor.
“I talked to Ozzie a little bit a couple of times throughout the year, but draft day was pretty unpredictable this year,” Paterson said. “(I’m just) so just fortunate to go to Detroit. It was kind of a surreal experience to meet him as a person, I kind of grew up watching him, so it was pretty awesome to talk to him throughout the year.”
What could make Paterson’s story even more dramatic is the fact that he didn’t start playing goal on a full-time basis until he was 10.
“I was a forward until I was about 10 years old when I switched to goalie for whatever reason,” explained Paterson. “I’ve been a goalie for the last couple of years, obviously.”
Paterson said his playing style is one that mirrors current NHL stars Marc-Andre Fleury and Ryan Miller, two players he idolizes.
“I would say that I’m a hybrid goalie and I’m usually pretty calm in the not net, not usually flopping around all over the place,” said Paterson. “I’m pretty quick down low with my reactions with the glove and blocker, so I’d say a butterfly goalie whose pretty calm in the net.”
Playing for the Spirit, where Paterson went 18-18-3 last year with a .904 save percentage and a 3.42 goals-against average, is a situation he is happy with and excited to build on next season.
“We had a great second half last season and me personally, I played a little bit better as we went down the stretch,” said Paterson. “It was a good year for myself and for the team. I’m just looking forward to having a good year next year. The whole team kind of came together, nothing one quick fix or anything. We brought in ‘Gilby’ (coach Greg Gilbert) halfway through the year and that seemed to make the difference, but it definitely worked out for the best.”
That said, what can be expected in the crease this fall at the Dow Event Center?
“It’s up in the air right now, though I would like to get as much as playing time as possible,” Paterson said. “Me and Clint (Windsor) will probably be battling for the No. 1 spot next year again, so I’m just looking forward to it.
“We have great fans in Saginaw and I’m looking forward to having another year season next year.”