Cedar Rapids RoughRiders goaltender Kent Patterson has committed to the University of Minnesota, the RoughRiders announced today. Patterson will begin his college career in the fall.
“We’re very happy for Kent, especially because playing for the University of Minnesota has been a goal of his,” said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. “He’s a talented goaltender who worked and competed very hard during his time here and as a result now has a chance to play for a top program.”
Patterson, 18, went 10-6-1 in 20 games this season, posting a 2.49 goals against average, a .912 save percentage and one shutout. Patterson enjoyed a strong second season in Cedar Rapids despite missing the first two months of the campaign following sports hernia surgery.
In 2006-07 Patterson was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team. He went 20-5-3 in 29 games in his first junior season and finished second in the league in save percentage (.913) and seventh in goals against average (2.91) and wins while posting a pair of shutouts.
Last June Patterson was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the fourth round of the National Hockey League draft with the one hundred thirteenth overall pick.
Patterson joins Bryce Aneloski (Providence), David Boehm (Massachusetts), Matt Donovan (Denver), Kyle Flanagan (St. Lawrence), Brady Hjelle (Minnesota-Duluth), Doug Jones (Dartmouth), Scott Mathis (Air Force), Vince Mihalek (Cornell), Nick Oddo (Nebraska-Omaha), Paul Phillips (Denver), Ian Slater (Western Michigan), Tyler Thompson (Minnesota State-Mankato), Matt Tomassoni (Miami of Ohio), Casey Wellman (Massachusetts) and Chris Wideman (Miami of Ohio) as the sixteenth member of the 2007-08 RoughRiders to make a college commitment.
The RoughRiders last month completed another successful season. The Riders, who finished the campaign 33-22-5, have now enjoyed eight straight winning seasons and have also reached the Clark Cup playoffs each of the last eight years. 2008-09 season ticket packages are now available through the RoughRiders business office (319-247-0340).