Riley Patterson’s request to be moved to another team was granted by the Barrie Colts on Wednesday afternoon.
Patterson, who decided to stay home and not attend this week’s training camp, has been dealt to the Niagara IceDogs for a package of five draft picks.
In return for the Vancouver Canucks prospect, the Colts will receive a second-round pick in 2026, a third-round pick in 2027 (Windsor), a third-round pick in 2029, a fourth-round selection in 2029, and a sixth-round pick in 2027.
“I think we can make our team better if we need to this year, or we can make the team better in the future,” said Colts general manager Marty Williamson. “It’s one of those things that his dad wants his kid to play on another team, and there’s not a lot you can do about it.
“Riley’s a good kid. We appreciate the couple of years he gave us, and we wish him the best.”
Williamson is happy the team resolved the situation quickly and the club and player will be able to move on.
“We didn’t want it to drag on. Not for Riley’s sake,” he said. “Getting the trade done and getting him into camp was important for us. It took a little while for somebody to step up with the right amount of picks, but I’m glad Niagara did it.”
Patterson, who was a fourth-round pick of Vancouver in 2024, had 25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points in 64 games last season to finish tied atop the Colts’ scoring leaders with Kashawn Aitcheson.
Patterson was set to enter his third season with the Colts and play a key role among the top six forwards this season.
The Colts will look inward first in hopes of replacing the scoring they are losing in trading the veteran forward.
“We think we have guys who are ready to step up and contribute,” said Williamson. “(Joseph) Salandra has had a really good camp with us, and (Carter) Lowe. We got to replace some scoring there, but by committee it looks like a pretty strong forward group.”
Patterson scored 54 goals and 67 assists for 121 points in 132 games in Barrie. He joins a Niagara team that is looking to take a big step forward in the division this year.
“We’re excited to welcome Patterson here in Niagara,” said IceDogs general manager Frank Evola, who added Patterson will “add depth to our forward group, and we’re excited to see the energy he brings to the team.”
Patterson is the second Barrie player to be dealt to the IceDogs this offseason. Earlier this summer, the OHL club swapped veterans with their Central Division rivals, sending overage defenceman Grayson Tiller to Niagara in return for 19-year-old centre Alex Assadourian and a fifth-round pick in 2027.
