Tell us about yourself!

My name is Lauren Patterson and I’m from just outside of Philadelphia, PA. I currently work as a graphic designer for CCM Custom Uniforms which is a dream job in itself. Recently, I was promoted to Director of Hockey Operations for the organization I coach with, the Lady Patriots out of Hatfield/Warwick, PA. I oversee the development of the entire club as well as head coach my u12AA team. I have a very unique hockey story of my own – I started playing ‘late’, faced a ton of adversity for many different reasons, but I was so stubborn about my own goals that I was lucky enough to go on to compete at college and even professional women’s hockey. Everything I experienced, the good and the bad, quickly drove me into coaching to give the next generation better support and opportunities.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

I wanted to be a part of something bigger – if I can share my story, give advice, or help a player or even organization by being a WHL Brand Ambassador, then I feel like I’m making even more of a positive impact in girls’ hockey.

What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

I now have another platform to reach more girls and parents from farther away than just my local area. Having a community such as Women’s Hockey Life connects us all to make a bigger and better impact in the growth of our game. I’ve already had so many positive interactions from the groups, social media postings, and even personal messages from strangers. I’ve had strangers come up to me at rinks saying that they read my previous story that was posted and were totally inspired. Some parents have even started letting their girls start to play hockey after reading my story.

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

I’m a movie fanatic. I could sit and watch movies all day long – and I could quote every line from those movies after seeing them about two or three times. In every day conversation I manage to say some sort of quote from a movie.

If you could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player, who would it be and why?

Easily Manon Rheaume. I was in awe of her growing up, she was the first female hockey player that I aspired to be. Playing goalie and playing mostly boys, I related to everything about her story.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?

When one door closes, another one opens. I used to get so defeated over what felt like a lost opportunity – that goes for as a player, coach and even life in general. Get cut from a team, there’s another one out there for you. If you have to step away from coaching, then another ten places will be calling for you. Don’t get down over one bump in the road.

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

I want women’s hockey to be recognized on a national or global scale. I want it to be televised, with all the best players playing against each other. I want those players to not have to work extra jobs to support themselves. And for girls hockey, I want more female coaches and I want more investment on the development of the girls game. Coaching girls was the best decision I ever made. Overall, they are so eager to please and improve that with real coaching, they do so tremendously. We need to put the same money/time/coaches/effort into working with female players/organizations that many boys organizations already have.

Interested in becoming a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

APPLY HERE