UBC Phys. Ed (Kinesiology) graduate Ron Paterson is one of the better known sports “personalities” in Vancouver and one who has given back to the game of hockey. During the 1970s Ron was one of the best amateur hockey goalies in BC, if not Canada. For four years beginning in 1972 he was a stellar goalkeeper with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Coast Junior ‘A’ hockey league. He then tended goal for the UBC Thunderbirds for two years achieving Canada West All-Star status both seasons as well as playing for Canada’s World Student Games team. Graduating in 1979, Paterson continued his hockey career playing goal for Canada’s National Team as it prepared for the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid. Thunderbird teammate Doug Buchanan was also on that team with their coaches being two hockey legends, UBC’s Father David Bauer and 1951 UBC Physical Education graduate Clare Drake.
Following his hockey experience Paterson embarked upon a 25 year career with Molson Canada in addition to entrepreneurial endeavours such as ownership of a Surrey pub and co-ownership since 2005 of the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League.
Paterson today remains engaged with both the BCHL as an owner and alternate – governor and with UBC as a supporter of Thunderbird hockey and its alumni. Because of his past association with Father Bauer, Ron has since become one of the main reasons the Father Bauer Golf Classic, a major UBC fund raiser, has been so successful for 25 years. And in the words of UBC hockey’s Rick Noonan, ”Without Ron the T-Bird hockey alumni would not have enjoyed the outstanding support of Molsons.”
Fred Hume, UBC Historian
