In the early 20th century, a talented individual named Frank Patrick was born in Ottawa. He dedicated his life to hockey and played a pivotal role in its development across Canada. Learn more at iottawa.net.
Early Skates and First Hockey Game
Frank Patrick was born in Ottawa in 1885. His family moved frequently, leaving them without a permanent home. Frank and his older brother, Lester, received their first skates from their parents in 1892, sparking a lifelong passion for skating.
At the age of nine, Frank and Lester were introduced to hockey during a game at a preparatory school in Montreal where Frank was a student.
By 19, Frank was playing for an amateur league’s adult hockey team. His agility and speed on the ice quickly set him apart, and he scored four goals in just five games.
In 1905, while on a school break, he joined the Westmount team, playing two games alongside his older brother. It was the first time the Patrick brothers played together on the same team.
Two years later, the family moved to Nelson, a small town where Frank spent several years before joining the Renfrew Creamery Kings in 1909. This team, nicknamed the “Millionaires,” was one of Canada’s top hockey teams, regularly competing at a national level.
During the 1909–1910 season, Patrick earned an astounding $2,000—a remarkable sum for the early 20th century—making a living doing what he loved at just 24 years old. That season, he played 11 games and scored eight goals. Despite his efforts, the Renfrew team failed to secure the championship title.
Founder of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and NHL Executive
In addition to being a skilled player, Frank Patrick was a visionary leader. He founded the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA), which held its inaugural season in 1911–1912. Patrick managed and played for the Vancouver Millionaires, guiding the team to its first Stanley Cup victory in 1915 through his strategic leadership and on-ice talent.
Frank and Lester Patrick also advocated for women’s hockey, proposing the creation of a women’s league within the PCHA. They envisioned teams from cities like Victoria, Seattle, and Portland. While these plans never materialized fully, Seattle did establish a women’s hockey team in 1917. Frank continued his efforts to promote women’s hockey, organizing the first international women’s hockey championships in 1921.
In 1926, the PCHA was sold to the National Hockey League (NHL). At 48, Patrick briefly returned to playing before becoming an NHL executive in Canada. His contributions to hockey earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Frank Patrick passed away in 1960 at the age of 75 due to a heart attack. Tragically, his older brother Lester died from a heart attack just a month later. Frank’s dedication to the sport and his efforts to expand hockey’s reach remain an enduring part of Canada’s hockey history.