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Danny Patten seemed to come out of nowhere for Check Republic, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists to be second in the league in scoring. But to team management, this outburst has been a long time coming. "We knew Danny was special since he came to us from juniors in Canada," the head coach said.

Patten was born in Vancouver, WA, at the height of their population explosion in the early 90s. At age 6, Patten recalls attending a WHL playoff game featuring the Portland Winterhawks. "I'm not even sure who won that game by the way," he laughs. It was 9-1 Portland, by the way. "I just know I loved the speed of the game. I was begging my dad to go to another game. He couldn't stop hearing about it."

Soon enough, the elder Patten was equipping Danny with his first pair of skates. It was not evident at the time that he was anything special. James Patten, Danny's father, remarked: "We weren't thinking pro, junior hockey, or even a travelling team. It was just for fun."

At age 12, Patten was asked to play on his club's travelling team. With training and determination, Danny ended up scoring 119 goals and dishing 87 assists in 61 games. The Patten family knew there was potential.

When Danny was playing junior hockey in the OHL at age 16, he endured a hardship no one should face: his younger brother, 14-year-old Jake, was killed in a car accident. "I almost quit hockey altogether," Danny says with a glossy look in his eyes.

"I mean, family is the most important thing, right?"

James had a long talk with his eldest son during the long week around the funeral. "I just...I just told him not to let this rule his life. He's got to live for his brother, not stop his life because of this."

Danny agreed to go back to his junior team and play in honor of his brother, but his heart wasn't quite in it. When we asked him what made the difference in his heart, he responded, "I was just looking for a sign, for a reason that playing was what I really needed to do." A slow smile spread across his face. "That's when Check Republic came in."

Reverist, the team's new general manager, called at the conclusion of season 2, just before Danny's 17th birthday. "He told me he's building a team from the ground up, and he wanted me to be a part of it. Me: on a pro team!"

Reverist had also spoken with Patten's parents, and though he wouldn't divulge the contents of the conversation, he did have something to say about Danny. "He's a special kid. He's the hardest-working player on the team. This is his second season with us, and you can tell how good of a player he is. I wouldn't trade his work ethic for the best player in the world with a bad attitude."

That last statement sums up Danny Patten. He works through pain to a higher goal. His family wouldn't let him do anything different. Patten shrugs it all off. "It's just what I'm supposed to be doing."

Here's hoping he keeps on doing it for Check Republic.

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