Patrick William Flatley is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League for 14 seasons between 1983 and 1997 for the New York Islanders and New York Rangers.
Education
Flatley attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he played for the Wisconsin Badgers men"s ice hockey team for two seasons, helping the team capture the 1983 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men"s ice hockey championship, and was himself named a tournament all-star, a WCHA first team all-star, and a 1983 All-American.
Career
Flatley was drafted 21st overall by the New York Islanders in the 1982 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and scored on his first National Hockey League shot on goal, against Doug Soetaert of the Winnipeg Jets. Playing for the Canadian National Team in 1983-1984, he scored 34 goals in 54 games. However, the Islanders lost in the finals to the Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers.
Although he never emerged as a top scorer, Flatley did become a highly effective role player, adding smart positional play, strong defense, and grit to the Islanders teams in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Flatley was sometimes referred to as "the chairman of the boards" because he rarely failed to dig the puck out in battles in the corners. In 1991 he was named the Islanders" fifth captain.
Prior to the 1996-1997 season, Flatley signed a one year deal with the New York Rangers. He played 780 career National Hockey League games, scoring 170 goals and 340 assists for 510 points.
His best offensive season, points-wise, was the 1992-1993 season when he scored 47 assists and 60 points.
Membership
Flatley was a member of the University of Wisconsin–Madison National Collegiate Athletic Association Men"s Ice Hockey Championship team of 1983, and national finalist of 1982.