Former OHLer Jake Patterson passes away at 31

A former junior star has passed away.

It was announced on Friday that former London Knights goaltender Jake Patterson died at the age of 31.

The cause of death has not been reported.

There have been many messages from both players and fans mourning the loss of the Sault Ste. Marie native. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi, who played with Patterson for three seasons, posted on his Instagram story, remembering his former teammate.

Patterson’s career in top-tier hockey might not have been long, as he last played with the Junior B Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2014-15 season. He’ll be forever remembered for his time in London and the success he and the team achieved.

His first full season with the Knights came in 2012-13. While he shared the net with the likes of Kevin Bailie and current Maple Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz, Patterson was great, going 19-6-2 in 32 games, registering a 2.61 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and three shutouts. He also played four games in the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs, as London went on to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup and clinch a spot in the Memorial Cup.

The following season, he was solid, going 22-9-3 with a 3.15 GAA, a .897 SV% and two shutouts. He played well enough in the postseason that he ended up starting the Knights’ final two games of the Memorial Cup, though the team fell to the Portland Winterhawks in the semifinal.

In 77 career OHL regular-season games, Patterson had a record of 43-17-5, with a 2.86 GAA, a .905 SV% and five shutouts. In 10 postseason appearances, he went 5-4 with a 3.73 GAA and a .894 SV%.

Though he might’ve never reached the big time, Patterson’s impact on the London Knights, his teammates and the city of London, will never be forgotten.

A GoFundMe has been created, with proceeds to benefit Jake’s three-year-old son, Luca.