Paterson has been tasked with helping the Gulls get back to winning ways TheAHL.com

Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer

On the development side, the San Diego Gulls have had a history of success since joining the AHL in 2015.

A long list of player includes Lukas Dostal, Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, John Gibson, Brandon Montour, Isaac Lundestrom, Max Jones, Josh Mahura, Sam Steel again Shea Theodore they passed through San Diego before becoming NHL contributors in Anaheim and elsewhere.

From this season's Gulls roster, the rookie defenseman Olen Zellweger more than matched expectations, earning a trip to the AHL All-Star Classic and playing 26 games with Anaheim. Forward Nathan Gaucherthe 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, went to the pros and played in all 72 games for San Diego this season. Nikita Nesterenkoa rookie out of Boston College, he put up 37 points in 70 games for the Gulls and skated to three NHL championships.

The AHL standings, however, have been a struggle of late. The Gulls finished seventh in the Pacific Division in 2021-22 and were swept in a best-of-three playoff series. They last finished in 2022-23, and were 28th this season with a record of 26-35-10-1 (63 points). Matt McIlvane he served as the team's fourth coach for multiple seasons.

As the general manager of Anaheim Pat Verbeek outlines future plans, with the organization's goal of gaining valuable Calder Cup Playoff information next spring. The Gulls made the postseason three times in their first four seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. Incoming San Diego GM Rick Paterson aims to bring back those winning days.

There's not much Paterson, 66, hasn't done in hockey yet. He played 430 NHL games as a forward with the Chicago Blackhawks. He has been a director of pro scouting, director of player personnel, pro scout, and has been an assistant coach and head coach in the NHL. Along the way he has won the Stanley Cup four times with the Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Anaheim organizations.

“I feel like we need to win more games,” said Paterson, “and it will help the atmosphere and help the players improve.” It's great to get to the rink where your team has a chance to win hockey games and hopefully make it to the playoffs and maybe deep.”

Come next season, Paterson will be in San Diego every day. He may also have some scouting and tab-keeping duties throughout the Pacific Division. But his main focus will be “the day-to-day operations of the San Diego Gulls,” he said.

As Verbeek continues his top-to-bottom overhaul of Anaheim's organization, the appointment of Paterson on May 13 is another deliberate step. Verbeek held managerial, scouting and player personnel roles during successful seasons for two organizations – Detroit and Tampa Bay – and saw the importance of establishing an AHL affiliate that included important practices before a player entered the NHL roster.

“The first thing is that Pat leads by example,” Paterson said. “He works really hard, and in my opinion, I don't think anyone who works for him can do without hard work. That work ethic is taken to heart, and everyone goes out and works hard.”

Paterson points to the Florida Panthers, a Stanley Cup finalist last year and a team that returned to the Eastern Conference finals this season, as a blueprint for what the Ducks are trying to establish in Anaheim and San Diego. The current Florida management staff has developed a strong relationship with Charlotte.

“They don't really care, I don't think about who is scoring, but they are a united team. They work together, and we want to add that character and be a tough team at both levels to play against,” Paterson said.

To that end, Paterson expects the Ducks to be aggressive in their pursuit of help in San Diego when free agency opens on July 1. Along with a pool that ranks fifth in the NHL according to The Athletic's. Scott Wheeler, the Ducks also have nine picks in the upcoming NHL Draft in June, including the third and 29th overall picks. Building a sustainable winning culture in San Diego will be an important part of a long-term rebuilding plan.

“The first thing is that they have to be good people,” said Paterson about the Gulls' veterans. “We need leadership there with all the children. We are looking for guys who will be leaders and teach young kids how to be professionals on and off the ice. “

Paterson can make a strong sales pitch: There is little talent to bring to San Diego. The Gulls enjoy strong support, reaching 7,248 fans per game this season. If a player is sent back to the Ducks, it's just a short trip north to Anaheim. And then there's the sun, the warm weather and the big market town.

Ducks want winners.

“I really think that winning helps to improve,” Paterson continued. “He is a winning culture. That's how Pat tries to write, [finding] winning or competing individuals. I think if you surround these guys with the right winning team and come from a winning position, you can help accelerate their development by winning.

“I'm surrounded by really great people who will help us move forward.”

TheAHL.com features writer Patrick Williams has covered the American Hockey League for nearly two decades at outlets including NHL.com, Sportsnet, TSN, Hockey News, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and SLAM ! Sports, and most recently was the host of The Hockey News On The 'A' podcast. He was the recipient of the AHL's James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the league's top scorer in 2016.