May 16, 2023, TORONTO, ON –– North York Rangers forward
Riley Patterson has won the Canadian Junior Hockey League
(CJHL) Top Rookie Award for the 2022-23 season, as announced
by the league on Tuesday.
The award is presented to the top rookie in Canadian Junior ‘A’
hockey each season. Patterson won the award over four other
finalists from various leagues across the CJHL. The winner is
chosen through a voting process conducted by the CJHL’s nine
member leagues.
Patterson burst onto the OJHL scene in his 16-year-old campaign,
scoring two goals in his first OJHL game, a 3-2 Rangers win over
their arch rivals, the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. On the season, he
scored 30 goals and 73 points, to lead the Rangers in both
categories. The Burlington, Ont. native also led the club in
game-winning goals with four and shorthanded goals with five. He
also had one goal and three points in four postseason games.
He earned OJHL South/East Conference all-star honours and
partook in the all-star skills competition in Collingwood in January.
He was also named the South/East Conference Player of the Month
for November, during which he tallied four goals and 16 points in 10
games.
The young Ranger phenom, who turned 17 on March 22, says the
award holds great personal meaning, but is quick to share the
credit.
“I am very grateful and honoured to receive this award,” he said. “I
had great support throughout the season, and I would like to thank
my coaches for the confidence they had in me as well as the
opportunities provided throughout the year. I put in a lot of hard
work and it’s nice to see it paying off.
“Lastly, I like to thank my teammates for always supporting me and
pushing all of us to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Patterson has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey with the
Michigan State Spartans beginning with the 2024-25 season.
