Patrick first laced up ice skates in late 2002 when he joined the Tigers' developmental team. It wasn't that long before he got invited to join the Wizards in D7 and then the Hurricanes in D6. In the winter Patrick used to spend Thursday nights skating at Riverbank, near his old apartment in Harlem.

Patrick shares, "I remember being excited to just be playing at first, but now hockey's become something more for me. It's a way to be more healthy and balanced. I find it fascinating to watch how I view the game evolve. The really basic things I used to pay attention to in those first few games finally feel routine and now I notice myself giving my attention to more complicated plays. It's been a great tool to evaluate and measure the ways I learn."

Born and raised in semi-rural Indiana, not far from Chicago, Patrick moved around a bit after high school instead of attending college. After time in Boston, Seattle (with weekends in Vancouver), and even Alaska, he returned to New York for five years and played with the NYCGHA. He was a professional graphic designer here, producing magazine editorial for titles like Entertainment Weekly, OUT, Seattle Magazine, and Conde Nast Traveler.

Now, Patrick's moved back home near his family and brought what he learned in NYC with him as he built the Madison Gay Hockey Association.