Joseph Lynn Patrick (February 3, 1912 – January 26, 1980) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and executive. As a player, Patrick played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers. He was twice named to the NHL All-Star team and was a member of the Rangers' 1940 Stanley Cup championship team. Patrick turned to coaching following his playing career, serving first with the Rangers, then the Boston Bruins – where he was also general manager – and finally as the first head coach of the St. Louis Blues.
Patrick was part of one of hockey's most famous families. His brother Muzz and son Glenn were also NHL players, while his father Lester, uncle Frank Patrick and son Craig are all members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Lynn was himself posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980 and was a recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1989 for his contributions to the sport in the United States.
Early life
Patrick was born February 3, 1912, in Victoria, British Columbia. His father Lester and uncle Frank were founders and operators of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA). Lynn also played hockey growing up, until Victoria's Patrick Arena burned down in 1929. Lynn played several sports in addition to hockey; he was a member of the Vancouver Blue Ribbons basketball team that won the Canadian national championship in 1933. Lynn struggled in his rookie season of 1934–35, resulting in the criticism Lester feared. but was a steady presence for the Rangers over the next several seasons as he scored between 25 and 34 points in 48-game seasons between 1935–36 and 1939–40. In 455 games over ten seasons, Patrick scored 145 goals and 335 points. He served as Rangers coach until 1950. After leading the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals, he was offered the coaching position with the Boston Bruins, with a raise to $12,000 per year. When the Rangers refused to pay Patrick more than $9,000 he resigned and joined the Bruins.
Patrick coached the Bruins between 1950 and 1955. He was also named the team's general manager in 1954, a position he held until 1964. Patrick had three short stints as head coach of the St. Louis Blues and two as general manager. He ultimately became the Blues' senior vice president, a position he held until his retirement in 1977.
In 1958, Patrick and journalist Leo Monahan co-published the book Let's Play Hockey! as an instructional guide for coaching ice hockey.
Personal life
Patrick was married to Dorothea Davis, a model and actress, between 1939 and 1941. He and Dorothea had one son, Lester Lee Patrick. Lynn then married Bernice Lang. They had four children together, Craig Patrick, Karen Patrick, Glenn Patrick, and Dean Patrick.
Lynn Patrick died on January 26, 1980. He left a Blues game that night due to illness but crashed his car near the arena after suffering a heart attack. His father Lester and uncle Frank were both inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His brother Muzz was an NHL player, as were his sons Craig and Glenn. Lynn was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980, months after his death. USA Hockey recognized Lynn's contributions to hockey in the United States by naming him a recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1989.
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