A Legacy of Leadership
The Anaheim Ducks have extended the contract of San Diego Gulls General Manager Rick Paterson, reinforcing a leadership structure that has shaped the franchise’s player development for more than two decades.
Paterson, who entered his third season as Gulls GM in 2026, brings over 40 years of experience as a player, coach, scout and executive to a role that now spans three generations of Ducks hockey.
His career includes four Stanley Cup championships — three with the Chicago Blackhawks and one with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 — and a résumé that features stints as Director of Professional Scouting and Director of Player Personnel for the Ducks.
Building a Development Pipeline
Under Paterson’s guidance the Gulls have instituted a systematic player development pipeline that mirrors the parent club’s identity and competitive ethos, resulting in steady year‑over‑year improvement.
The 2025‑26 season marked the Gulls’ first postseason appearance since 2022, a milestone that underscores the effectiveness of the infrastructure Paterson has overseen.
The organization notes that the 2026‑27 campaign will be Paterson’s 22nd year within the Ducks ecosystem, a testament to his enduring impact.
A Career Defined by Championships
Paterson’s championship pedigree extends beyond the NHL; he captured the Bronze Medal with Team Canada at the 1978 World Junior Championships and was inducted into the Cornwall Royals Hall of Fame in 2002.
His early playing days with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he recorded 93 points in 430 NHL games and appeared in eight playoff runs, laid the foundation for a transition into coaching and scouting that culminated in a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
Prior to his current role, Paterson spent seven years with the Lightning as Chief Professional Scout, winning the Cup in 2004, and earlier served as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, capturing back‑to‑back championships in 1991 and 1992.
The executive’s journey began in earnest with the Cornwall Royals of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he tallied 365 points in 342 games and later earned a place in the Royals’ Hall of Fame.
Now, as the Ducks look ahead, Paterson’s renewed contract signals continuity and a commitment to leveraging his extensive network and championship experience to sustain the franchise’s developmental momentum.