Canucks prospect Riley Patterson traded from OHL’s Barrie Colts to Niagara IceDogs

Rumours had been circulating about the Colts potentially dealing Patterson over the past few months. The speculation ramped up over the past couple of days after the 19-year-old didn’t show up to Barrie’s training camp.

This isn’t the first time Patterson has been traded in the OHL. In June 2023, before ever playing a game in the league, he was dealt to the Colts from the Flint Firebirds, the team that took him in the third round of the OHL Draft, for six draft picks.

Patterson was taken by the Canucks in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. It came after a strong rookie season in Barrie, during which he scored 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points in 68 games, finishing second on the team in scoring. His 29 markers led all OHL rookies.

The Etobicoke, Ont. native didn’t quite score at the same rate during the 2024-25 season as he did in year one. That said, he finished tied with New York Islanders’ first-round pick Kashawn Aitcheson for team lead in scoring, posting 25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points in 64 games. Patterson also notched six goals and 12 points in 16 postseason games, as the Colts made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final before getting swept by the Oshawa Generals.

Patterson is currently ranked 12th in the CanucksArmy’s prospect rankings. Dave Hall says that one of the biggest aspects of Patterson’s game is his ability to play in a variety of roles.

“He can score goals in a variety of fashions with a heavy mid-range shot,” Hall wrote. “But what truly stands out is his ability to contribute from the blue paint, where he fearlessly battles for rebounds and slips coverage to finish in tight. His willingness to drive the net and fight for position makes him a consistent threat.”

Patterson adds some exceptional talent to an IceDogs team that has Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata and Winnipeg Jets draft pick Kevin He. Last season, the IceDogs finished seventh in the Western Conference, coincidentally losing to the Colts in five games in Round 1.

The IceDogs open the 2025-26 season against the Brampton Steelheads on Sept. 19, with Niagara’s first matchup against Barrie taking place on Oct. 5.