Career
He is currently playing for the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.
Patterson played high school hockey in his native Minnesota with The Blake School before crossing to minor junior hockey with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the United States Hockey League. After an impressive season culminating in a selection to the USHL All-Rookie team, Patterson was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 4th round (113th overall) of the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Committing to the University of Minnesota to play with the Golden Gophers in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference, Patterson assumed the backup position to Alex Kangas for his freshman and sophomore seasons.
In his junior season in 2010-2011, Patterson emerged as the starting goaltender for the Golden Gophers and in 30 appearances accumulated 14 victories to be named in the All-WCHA Second Team.
As a senior in 2011-2012, Patterson compiled his most successful collegiate season, earning a career high 28 wins in 43 games for the Gophers. On May 11, 2012, Patterson signed his first professional contract by signing to a two-year entry level deal with the Avalanche.
After initially attending American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters training camp, Patterson was re-assigned to make his pro debut to start the 2012-2013 season with the Denver Cutthroats of the CHL, a secondary affiliate of the Avalanche. Patterson"s impressive play behind the Cutthroats defense was rewarded when he was selected as the CHL"s Goaltender and Rookie of the Month award for November.
On January 31, he was recalled to serve as a backup for Monsters of the AHL. In his American League debut, Patterson recorded a shutout in a 1–0 shoot-out loss to the Abbotsford Heat on February 10, 2013.
After four games with the Monsters, Patterson was returned to the Cutthroats and remained for the duration of their campaign. At the conclusion of his entry-level contract, and having spent the majority of his tenure with secondary affiliate, the Denver Cutthroats, Patterson was not tendered a new contract by the Avalanche in releasing him to free agency. On August 4, 2014, he was signed to a one-year contract with ECHL club, the Orlando Solar Bears.
On January 16, 2015 he was traded by Orlando to the Gwinnett Gladiators.