The 2019 Cleveland Cup champion Holy Name Green Wave will open their title defense with a new face behind the bench.  Craig Patton is just the second head coach in the history of the program as he takes over for Tim Sullivan, who had a 16-year run with the program he started.  The Green Wave defeated University School, 2-1, to win the 2019 Cleveland Cup—the first post-season title for the program since their Baron Cup III win in 2007. 

The Green Wave were again a high-octane team that was comfortable trading scoring chances with elite teams.  Holy Name scored more goals (5.4 per game) in league games by a pretty wide margin.  St. Edward was second with 4.1 goals/game in GLHL play.

Four of six 30-point scorers are back for the Namers.  The duo of Brennan Dickey (29-31-60) and Milo Henry (23-22-45) returns along with Patrick Ehlert (13-17-30) and Jack Mohar (4-26-30).  Dickey was All-GLHL and Third Team All-Ohio.  He was a first-round selection in the NA3HL draft last spring but elected to return to play his senior year at Holy Name instead of joining a Tier III Junior A team in Wyoming.

Prior to Holy Name, Patton was the head ice hockey coach at Cleveland State University. He also was the assistant head coach and eventually the head coach at Olmsted Falls High School from 1997-2004. Along with experience at both the high school and collegiate levels, Patton has served as a head coach in the Parma, Brooklyn, Rocky River and Strongsville youth hockey leagues.

Jason Dickey, an assistant coach for Team Ohio’s 18-and-under team, will also be on the coaching staff.

So, what kinds of changes will the new coaches implement?

“It will not be a secret,” said Patton.  “We will forecheck hard and play a very physical game.”

While his team still has the potential to score their way to wins, Patton wants to see them play with structure as well.

“This league has a lot of talent, so trading chances doesn’t seem like a very smart way to approach a game,” he said.  “It also puts our goalie in a position to feel like he can’t make a mistake.  These young men are being taught to play a solid positional defense and transition into a fast-paced offense.” 

Patton has experience in college hockey to draw upon as he guides the Green Wave.

“College hockey is a physical game with quick decisions, so teaching these boys to be mentally prepared for whatever is thrown at them is the key,” Patton said.  “I’m very happy with the progress we have made thus far and look forward to see how we adjust and get better every day.”

Dickey is still listed as a defenseman on the roster, but tends to find his way up-ice often.

“He is such a well-balanced and talented player that he can play every position,” Patton said of his senior sniper.  “I have a few ideas that will really help put him in situations to succeed and help this team so I guess you will have to buy a ticket to find out!”

Dickey, Ehlert and Mohar are the three seniors on the back end and junior Ben Dougher also provides experience.  Patton will rely heavily on that core while working a pair of sophomores into the mix in Louis Hulec and Ian Greenhill.

Ross Conforto was a major player in the Namers run to the Cleveland Cup, stopping 71 of 75 shots over the semifinal win over St. Edward and the final against US.  While Conforto has graduated, juniors J. J. Light and Brendan Greller both saw varsity action last year and will compete for time in the Holy Name crease.

A new Era in Holy Name hockey history begins this year and it is up to Coach Patton and this group of players to write it.

“I could not be more excited to be the head coach of this program,” said Patton. “The students at Holy Name are very passionate about their teams, and I am extremely excited to be a part of Namer Nation.”

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest