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CA’s top 20 Canucks summer prospect rankings: #12 Riley Patterson

Originally posted on Canucksarmy | By Dave Hall | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 2:00 PM ET

We are back with the 2025 summer edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings.

Today, we present to you our 12th-ranked player in the system, a versatile forward who has been tasked with heavy minutes in all situations at the OHL level.

Our previously ranked prospects:

#20 – Ilya Safonov
#19 – Aku Koskenvuo
#18 – Parker Alcos
#17 – Wilson Björck
#16 – Anri Ravinskis
#15 – Josh Bloom
#14 – Kieren Dervin

If you’re curious about our ranking criteria, you can find them in our HM installment.

Riley Patterson

Despite a slight dip in production, Riley Patterson’s responsible 200-foot game, crafty offensive instincts, and gritty net-front presence make him a prospect with a strong foundation and middle-six NHL potential.

His 2024-25 season with the Barrie Colts was a near carbon copy of his standout rookie year statistically, when he led OHL rookies in goals (29) and ranked second in points (62).

In his sophomore campaign, he posted 25 goals and 59 points, three points shy of his debut totals in four fewer games.

Would we have liked to see a significant increase in his production during his draft-plus-one season? Sure. But as the Barrie Colts’ co-leading point getter and second-highest goalscorer, there are tons of positives to take away.

Despite the modest numbers, he remained a key offensive contributor while playing top-six minutes, anchoring the top penalty-kill unit, and logging significant power-play time.

Now entering his third OHL season, Patterson is poised to take on an even larger role as a go-to forward, expected to drive the Colts’ attack and handle critical situations.

Versatility is Patterson’s hallmark. Comfortable at both centre and right wing, he took on the majority of Barrie’s defensive-zone and special-teams faceoffs, hovering around a 51% win rate in 2024-25.

While not elite in any single area, his well-rounded game allows him to excel in all situations. Offensively, he combines crafty hands with sharp vision, creating chances through deft passes and clever plays that highlight his hockey IQ.

He can score goals in a variety of fashions with a heavy mid-range shot. 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.

Defensively, he’s reliable, tracking back diligently and using his frame to disrupt plays to make him a trusted option for coaches in all situations. Patterson’s skating, while not his strongest asset, has shown steady improvement. He’s not a burner, but his strides are effective enough to keep up with the OHL’s pace, and his year-to-year progress suggests he’s working on addressing this weakness.

His ability to play a sound, responsible game across all zones, combined with his offensive contributions, gives him a high floor as a prospect. As a late-bloomer who’s already shown consistency in junior, Patterson’s development trajectory is encouraging, especially as he prepares for a bigger role with Barrie in 2025-26.

Ceiling: Patterson’s NHL ceiling is that of a middle-six forward, capable of filling multiple roles. Whether that’s chipping in offensively, providing energy, or anchoring the penalty kill. His dual-threat ability as a scorer and two-way player makes him a valuable asset, with the potential to contribute in a checking or complementary role.

Floor: We see him as a dependable AHL forward, leveraging his versatility and work ethic to carve out a professional career. As a fourth-round pick, his path to the NHL is long but achievable.

ETA: He’s guaranteed one more season in Barrie, where he’ll be relied on heavily within their forward group. After that, we’ll determine whether he’s an NCAA or AHL candidate, which introduces a slight curveball in predicting their respective timelines. Regardless of where he lands in 2026-27, we expect his name to start being brought up for cups of NHL coffee around 2028-29.

That’s our #13 spot. Stay tuned for another installment tomorrow here at CanucksArmy.

This article first appeared on Canucksarmy and was syndicated with permission.

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