Nolan Patrick Has Not Retired From Hockey despite Reports

Nolan Patrick, the former 2nd Overall Pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, is not retiring from Hockey after it was reported the 25-year-old was retired, he and family members confirmed to Global News Winnipeg and Sportsnet.

Patrick, who is taking on a mentorship role as a Skills Specialist and Video Coach for 'The Power Play' Hockey group, founded by fellow former NHLer Jayce Hawryluk, was labeled on the group's Instagram page as being "retired" from the NHL. Both Patrick and 'The Power Play' were reached for comment yesterday night and at the time of publication did not recieve a response from either. The Instagram post has since been changed, removing the mention of Patrick as a retired player.

A former top prospect out of the WHL for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Patrick was considered as potentially the top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, before injuries caused him to miss a majority of his Draft Year, limiting him to just 33 WHL games, but with 20 Goals and 46 Points, a year after a 102 Point effort, only Connor Bedard having a better PPG since.

Scouts were able to overlook Patrick's injury misfortune, with NHL Central Scouting ranked Patrick as the #1 North American Skater, ahead of then-rival for the top draft spot, Nico Hischier, who eventually went 1st to the New Jersey Devils.

Jeff Marek of Sportsnet also ranked Patrick as the top draft prospect, as did Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News & Peter Harling of DobberProspects. Bob McKenzie and Craig Button both ranked Patrick 2nd behind Hischier in their respective rankings.

After being selected 2nd Overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick got off to a decent start in Philly with back-to-back 30 Point seasons, before struggling due to headaches, later confirmed to be caused by a migraine disorder.

Patrick struggled to return to his full form in Hockey, later signing a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, before another injury caused him to miss time. Patrick did not play the 2022-23 season for Vegas, who eventually won the Stanley Cup.

In 222 NHL Games, Patrick had 32 Goals, 45 Assists & 77 Points with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Vegas Golden Knights.