Nolan Patrick Retires, Begins new career path as coach
Brandon Wheat Kings legend Nolan Patrick has been forced to conclude his NHL career at the age of 25.
Reaching his peak in the early months of 2017, Patrick was once ranked as the No. 1 player heading into the 2017 NHL Draft, to which he ultimately slipped to No. 2 behind New Jersey's Nico Hischier as the summer wore on.
Patrick's career did not go as planned following his lengthy - and prosperous - stretch with the Wheat Kings.
Putting up 91 goals and 204 points in three years with Brandon, Patrick missed most of his draft-year season in 2016-17 as he dealt with a sports hernia and other other-body injuries. He opened his NHL career in Philly with 13 goals and 30 points, before doing it again with 13 goals and 31 points the following year.
He missed the 2019-20 season with headaches and what was diagnosed as a migraine disorder, something he later stated was likely genetic.
Patrick suited up for 52 games for the Flyers the following year, scoring four times and adding another five assists. But he was then involved in a three-way deal with the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights, where he was re-united with his old friend Kelly McCrimmon, who attempted to rejuvenate the career of a player he knew very well.
Patrick signed a two-year, $2.4 million deal with the Golden Knights and managed to appear in 25 games during the 2021-22 season. He scored twice and added five assists for seven points, but spent the majority of the season on the injured reserve with what the team called an upper-body injury.
He announced prior to the 2022-23 season that he would be unable to play and missed out on the Golden Knights' championship run, missing the chance to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. McCrimmon, who went to two-straight WHL Finals with the Winnipegger at the helm ensured he got his Stanley Cup ring, despite sitting out.
Over his career, Patrick has 32 goals and 77 points in 222 NHL games, while adding another goal and assist for two points in six postseason appearances.
On Tuesday, the Instagram page, 'The Power Play' was launched by fellow Manitoban, Jayce Hawryluk, who has spent countless years alongside Patrick at both the WHL and NHL level, and still trains with his former Wheat Kings teammate in the offseason. Hawryluk is from Roblin and continues to play overseas in Czechia with HC Bili Tygri Liberec.
The Power Play is a hockey coaching and mentorship program founded by Hawryluk and will feature Patrick - who is listed as Skills Specialist, Video Coach and Mentor, while described as a "retired pro with significant NHL experience".
Also serving as coaches will be fellow Wheaties forward Ryley Lindgren and former Florida Panthers defenceman Ian McCoshen.
Patrick retires with an estimated $6 million in career earnings.
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