Tag: OHL

Canucks Sign Young Prospects Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot

On By CanucksBanterIn Canucks NewsLeave a comment

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff

September 23, 2025

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced September 21 that the club has agreed to terms with forwards Riley Patterson. The club also reached an agreement with Gabriel Chiarot on three-year, entry-level contracts.

“Over the past couple of weeks, we have been impressed by a number of our young players at both the showcase in Seattle and at Training Camp in Penticton,” said Allvin. “We are happy to sign two of them, Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot. Riley is a right-shot centre prospect who has made strides working with our development group the past couple years, while Gabriel has good drive, work ethic, and tenacity, and also has a nose for the net.”

Vancouver Canucks player wearing a white jersey with the number 68, looking focused during a game.

Patterson, 19, completed his second season with the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Barrie Colts in 2024.25, recording 59 points (25-34-59), 19 penalty minutes, and a +9 plus/minus rating. The Burlington, ON native also appeared in 16 playoff games, posting 12 points (6-6-12) and eight penalty minutes.

The 6’0”, 192lbs forward has appeared in 132 games across two seasons. All were with Barrie. He registered 121 points (54-67-121), 29 penalty minutes, and a +16 plus/minus rating. He has also skated in 22 career playoff contests, scoring 15 points (8-7-15) and 15 penalty minutes.

Player card for Riley Patterson, a 19-year-old forward for the Vancouver Canucks, detailing his contract, draft information, and personal statistics.

Patterson was originally selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round, 125th overall, in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Few players on the Vancouver Canucks had a better 2025 Prospects Showcase than Riley Patterson. The 2024 fourth-round pick recorded a primary assist in Game 1 while also recording a goal and a primary assist in Game 2. Patterson was also able to step up as Vancouver’s first-line center after Braeden Cootes left Game 1 with an injury. 

After Game 2, Patterson also received some praise from Manny Malhotra, with the Abbotsford Canucks head coach saying, “He did a really good job with those two. Looking at some of the details in his game is really what we were evaluating over the last couple of days. He did a much better job this evening of [being] physical, making sure he was in the right spot at the right time, he was a little more tenacious on pucks and from there he was able to make some good plays between Lekky and Ricky, and then obviously capitalizing on his opportunity down the pipe.”

Adam Kierszenblat TheHockeyNews

Riley Patterson, a young hockey player wearing a Vancouver Canucks jersey, smiles while on the ice during a showcase event.

Chiarot, 19, appeared in 66 games with the Brampton Steelheads during the 2024.25 season. He registered 35 points (21-14-35), 60 penalty minutes, and a +21 plus/minus rating. He added one point (1-0-1) in six playoff contests. His 35 points were tied for seventh on Brampton, while his 21 goals were fifth.

In 114 career OHL games across two seasons, the 5’11”, 191lbs forward has recorded 45 points (26-19-45). He also accumulated 98 penalty minutes and achieved a +20 plus/minus rating. He has also skated in nine postseason games with the Steelheads, scoring one goal.

The Hamilton, ON native made his first appearance in a Canucks uniform earlier this month. This was during the team’s 2025 Prospect Showcase in Everett and Seattle, WA.

Player card for Gabe Chiarot, a 19-year-old forward for the Vancouver Canucks, displaying his statistics, contract details, and personal information.

Chiarot was originally selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the sixth round, 175th overall, in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

September 2025 – Chiarot was two days away from being eligible for the 2024 draft. As one of the oldest D-0 selections in 2025, he lacks much offensive upside. But his 5-11, 190lbs frame packs a punch. Chiarot is a hard worker — constantly stripping the puck from defenders on the forecheck and attackers on the backcheck. He is a hound after a bone.

Vancouver clearly drafted to add edge to their pipeline. The right-handed forward immediately becomes one of the Canucks’ hardest-working and grittiest prospects. He has a long road to the NHL. Projects as an AHL player who might receive call-ups. Not worth a stash in fantasy leagues — even in bangers. 

Arden McLeod, dobberprospects.com

Chiarot finished last OHL season with 35 points (21-14-35), more than tripling his production from the season prior. He achieved a level of consistency he was proud of last season and was proud of his overall game – finishing his checks every night, his effort on forechecks and backchecks, and being a reliable teammate.

He’s worked hard to improve year-over-year, consistently finishing his checks and getting to the net, but he says being more comfortable also makes a difference.

To build on last year’s performance, he’s working on fine tuning the details of his game while staying consistent with the good habits he’s developed. He has goals that he wants to achieve consistency in offensively that will help lead to more scoring chances for himself and his teammates.

Lindsey Horsting, Vancouver Canucks

Canucks Prospect Riley Patterson Trade: A Fresh Start for the Young Center

On By CanucksBanterIn Canucks NewsLeave a comment
Logo of the Vancouver Canucks featuring the text 'APC Banter' in bold white letters over a circular blue and green background.

By Andrew Chernoff

August 31, 2025

On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the Barrie Colts dealt Riley Patterson to the Niagara IceDogs. This action swiftly concluded a situation. It all began with Patterson’s decision to hold out from training camp. The deal was not a routine roster move, but rather a player-initiated demand for a “fresh start.”

In exchange for Patterson, the Colts received a significant package of five future OHL draft picks. This was a clear signal that the team was focused on long-term asset accumulation.

Patterson was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He decided to forego his commitment to Michigan State University. He came to Barrie for the 2023-24 season. He was a standout rookie for the Colts. He recorded 62 points in 68 games.

The presence of proven forwards creates a crowded situation. This includes a new import player. Patterson felt this was an obstacle to his development goals if he stayed with the Barrie Colts.

The Colts acquired overage forward Calvin Crombie from the Brantford Bulldogs last week, sealing a trade. Barrie traded a 2027 10th-round pick in exchange for Crombie. He recorded 31 points (6 goals, 25 assists) and 89 penalty minutes in 55 games during the 2024-25 regular season. He added another seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) and 21 penalty minutes in 11 playoff games with the Bulldogs.

Breakdown of the Riley Patterson Trade

Headshot of a young male hockey player wearing a team jersey, with short, tousled hair and an expressionless face against a gray background.
Riley Patterson
Acquiring TeamPlayer AcquiredReceiving TeamPicks Received
Niagara IceDogsRiley Patterson (F)Barrie Colts2026 2nd Round Pick (Barrie)
2027 3rd Round Pick (Windsor)
2027 6th Round Pick (Niagara)
2029 3rd Round Pick (Niagara)
2029 4th Round Pick (Niagara)

This was not the first time he had been dealt in the OHL. In June 2023, he was traded to the Barrie Colts. This was before he had ever played a game for the Flint Firebirds. The trade was in exchange for six draft picks.

As I reported earlier in the week, Patterson is a 19-year-old center.

He had opted to forgo attending the Colts’ training camp and sought a trade to another team. He was awaiting a resolution. The move was not the result of a personal conflict. It was a calculated decision. He aimed to secure a “fresh start” and a new environment. He wanted to maximize his on-ice opportunity on the road to a professional hockey career.

Patterson had determined that he needed to be on a new team. He wanted to secure a permanent top-six forward role and increase his playing time. The current situation in Barrie did not guarantee that opportunity. He and his camp assessed this because of a reported “lack of open spots” among the team’s top forwards. They then requested a trade.

The trade of Riley Patterson from the Barrie Colts to the Niagara IceDogs signifies a pivotal moment in his career. 

The immediate projection is that he will assume a top-six role with the IceDogs. In this role, he can leverage his offensive skills alongside other high-end prospects.

With an expanded role and increased ice time, he has a prime opportunity to surpass his earlier point totals. He can show significant offensive growth. This would make him a compelling candidate for a professional contract with the Canucks.

In the long term, Patterson’s path to a professional career hinges on his ability to capitalize on this new opportunity. 

A productive season in Niagara would strengthen his case for an entry-level contract. It would also accelerate his timeline for joining the Canucks’ professional ranks, whether in the AHL or NHL. 

Ultimately, this deal is a favorable outcome for all parties involved: 

  • Patterson received the change of scenery he desired to control his development. 
  • The Barrie Colts received a significant package of draft picks to bolster their future. 
  • The Niagara IceDogs acquired a proven scorer to help them push for success this season. 
  • And the Vancouver Canucks now have a motivated prospect with a clear path to proving his worth. 

The Canucks did not stand in the way of allowing Patterson to pursue a new environment. This decision is implicitly a high-stakes bet. They are betting on his ability to thrive.

This situation serves as a test case for modern prospect management. It demonstrates a hands-off approach. This approach empowers the player to dictate their own developmental path. The Canucks are poised to reap the rewards or face the consequences.

All good things come to those who wait. Will Riley Patterson be “that good thing”?

Until next time, hockey fans