Canucks Prospect Riley Patterson Gives Fans Something to

Vancouver Canucks fans have had plenty to worry about lately. The NHL club hasn't exactly given its supporters many reasons to celebrate, but that doesn't mean everything is going wrong in the organization. Sometimes it's worth looking a little further down the road, and the Abbotsford Canucks have some encouraging things happening.

One of them is Riley Patterson, who gave Abbotsford a nice boost Wednesday with two goals in a 4-3 win over Colorado. It's a good result for the young forward, who is putting together a promising first full season in the American Hockey League.

Patterson Is Finding His Footing in Abbotsford.

Patterson now has six goals and five assists for 11 points in 14 games. That's a pretty respectable start for a player getting his first extended look at the AHL level. He went three games without a point before Wednesday, so scoring two goals in one night was a welcome response. Young players go through stretches when the scoring doesn't come as easily, and learning how to work through those periods is part of becoming a professional hockey player.

At 14 games into the season, there's still plenty of hockey ahead. But Patterson is giving the organization something to be encouraged about.

There's Good News Happening in the Canucks Organization.

Here's something Vancouver fans should remember. The NHL team is only one part of the organization. A development process is underway in Abbotsford, and the progress of players like Patterson is part of the bigger picture. Not every prospect will arrive in the NHL ready to make an immediate difference. Some need time, experience, and the opportunity to find their game against professional competition. That's what the AHL is there for.

For the Canucks, developing young players and building confidence in Abbotsford matters, especially as the NHL club looks to improve its longer-term future.

Patterson Might Be a Ways Away from Helping the Big Club, But So Far So Good.

Patterson isn't going to solve Vancouver's problems tomorrow, and we shouldn't expect him to. But that's not the point. It's good to see a young Canucks prospect making progress, scoring goals, and contributing to winning hockey.

Vancouver fans could use a little good news these days. They might have to look south to Abbotsford to find some of it, but it's there. And that's worth celebrating.