Frank Patrick (ice hockey)

Frank Patrick (December 21, 1885 – June 29, 1960) was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and league administrator. Along with his brother Lester Patrick, he revolutionized the sport of ice hockey in the early 20th century.

Born in Drummondville, Quebec, Frank Patrick played as a rover and defenseman. He was known for his offensive prowess and hard-hitting style. He began his senior hockey career with the McGill University Hockey Club and later played for the Montreal Hockey Club.

In 1911, the Patrick brothers founded the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA), a professional ice hockey league that challenged the established Eastern Canada Hockey Association (ECHA). Frank served as president and manager of the Vancouver Millionaires, one of the league's founding teams. The PCHA introduced several innovations to the game, including blue lines, forward passing in the neutral zone, and the playoff system. The PCHA also pioneered the use of numbers on players' jerseys.

Frank Patrick led the Vancouver Millionaires to the Stanley Cup championship in 1915, defeating the Ottawa Senators. He also coached the team during various periods of his tenure.

Following the demise of the PCHA in 1924, Frank Patrick became the general manager of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He remained with the Bruins for two seasons. He was also involved in the management of the Vancouver Lions of the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL) later in his career.

Frank Patrick was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958 in the Builder category for his significant contributions to the development of ice hockey. He is remembered as a visionary who helped shape the modern game. His innovations with the PCHA significantly influenced the rules and structure of professional hockey leagues in North America.