Jake Paterson

Jake Paterson (born May 3, 1994) is a Canadian major junior ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Paterson was drafted 80th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Junior career

During the 2009–10 OHL season, Paterson played for the Toronto Marlboros midget minor AAA team that competed in the 2010 OHL Cup. In 50 games with the Marlies, he had a 1.41 goals against and 15 shutouts. Paterson was 5–1 with 1 shutout and a 0.78 goals against in six games at the OHL Cup. Paterson was selected by the Saginaw Spirit 32nd overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft.

During the 2010–11 OHL season, Paterson made his OHL debut with Saginaw as a 16-year-old and skated for the NOJHL's Soo Eagles Junior A team. Paterson won a gold medal with Team Ontario at the 2011 U17 Hockey Challenge, though he did not see any action. In his first start on October 23, Paterson made 23 saves in a win over Belleville. In five appearances with the Spirit throughout the season he was 3–2 with a 2.97 goals against average and .907 save percentage. Paterson was 10–1–2 with 2 shutouts and had a 2.95 goals against average and .921 save percentage for the Eagles. In 15 NOJHL playoff games he was 11–4 with 3 shutouts and had a 2.42 goals against average and .931 save percentage for the NOJHL champions. Paterson was named to Team Ontario but Daniel Altshuller of the Nepean Raiders started all six games.

During the 2011–12 OHL season, Paterson handled the bulk of the goaltending for Saginaw in his first full OHL season and was impressive in the playoffs for the Spirit. Paterson appeared in 42 games during the regular season and was 18-21 with 1 shutout; posting a 3.42 goals against average and .904 save percentage. The Spirit finished third in the West and reached the second round of the playoffs. The Spirit were the only team to beat league champion London in regulation in the playoffs – winning twice in the team's second-round six-game series. In 12 playoff games, Paterson was 6–6, with three of the losses coming in overtime, and had a 3.05 goals against average and .903 save percentage. Paterson was invited to the NHL Draft Combine and ranked third amongst North American goalies in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft.

During the 2012–13 OHL season, Paterson appeared in 50 of 68 games for Saginaw in his second OHL season. Paterson was 25–18–5 with 1 shutout and had a 3.53 goals against average and .901 save percentage. The Spirit finished fourth in the West Division and were swept by OHL champion London in a first round series. Paterson started all four playoff games and finished with a 5.36 goals against average and .860 save percentage. Paterson skated in the 2012 Subway Super Series.

Professional career

On September 28, 2013, the Detroit Red Wings signed Paterson to a three-year entry-level contract.

Patterson was called up to the Red Wings main roster on April 25, 2014 after starting goalie Jimmy Howard went out with the flu. He will act as the backup goalie behind starter Jonas Gustavsson.

International play

Paterson represented team Canada at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International