The Haliburton County Huskies is honouring its “greatestever player” Oct. 11, retiring the number 75 jersey that, for years, was synonymous with former team captain Patrick Saini.
The 22-year-old forward played four seasons for the franchise – one in Whitby and three in Haliburton County – racking up 256 points in 218 Ontario Junior Hockey League games. He was named team captain for his final season in 2023-24 where he scored 44 goals and recorded 50 assists for 94 points – all single-season team records. He’s also the franchise leader for total points.
“There will never be another Patrick Saini – his loyalty, work-ethic and character are second to none. As a player he was a dream to coach, highly-skilled, always wanting to learn,” General manager Ryan Ramsay said.
“Honestly, this is the easiest decision [team owner] Paul Wilson and I have had to make. No disrespect to the other players we’ve had, but there’s nobody else who even comes close to the kind of impact Patty made during his time as a Husky. If we were going to do this, he’s the only person it makes sense for,” he added.
Ramsay said he’s known Saini since he was 15, when he got his start with Whitby. Over the years, Saini had interest from lots of teams, including in the Ontario Hockey League and from other top OJHL franchises. His commitment to his first junior club never wavered, though.
“He could have signed with [the] Flint Firebirds in the OHL, but he wanted a scholarship to play NCAA. He stuck with us and kept coming back, despite having lots of other options,” Ramsay said.
Following Saini’s freshman OJHL season in Whitby, Ramsay and Wilson opted to move the franchise to Haliburton County. The GM said he spent hours convincing the team’s returning players to follow the team north, but not Saini.
His dedication to the Huskies continues even now – Ramsay said Saini was one of the coaches helping at the organization’s summer hockey camp for kids.
“That kid bleeds blue and white and if anyone deserves something like this, for all they’ve given to a junior hockey team, it’s Patrick Saini,” Ramsay said.
The forward, now plying his trade for Adrian College in the NCAA in the U.S., will be honoured prior to Saturday’s home tilt against the Pickering Panthers. Speaking to The Highlander from his home base in Michigan, Saini said he’s excited to get back to Haliburton County.
He said he found out about the jersey retirement during his final week coaching at camp, saying it’s one of the greatest honours of his young life.
“Obviously a big surprise – it’s never anything I expected to happen. I still can’t really believe it is happening,” Saini said. “Haliburton means the world to me; it’ll always be my second home. I had some of the best years of my life there playing for the Huskies. I feel like that’s where I really grew up and became the man I am today.”
He’s preparing for his sophomore season with Adrian. Last year, as a rookie, he put up 22 points in 29 games. He was also recognized as an All-American for his academic exploits, majoring in criminal justice and minoring in psychology.
Saini said he’s been back in camp for a few weeks now, with the NCAA schedule kicking off later this month. He made sure this weekend was an open one as he wasn’t going to miss attending the ceremony. He’ll be there on game day with his parents and two sisters.
“It will be my first time seeing a Huskies game from the other side of the glass,” Saini said.
The forward still aspires to go pro – something Ramsay believes he can achieve.
“He definitely has a shot. Players have all sorts of different paths,” said Ramsay, who played 11 seasons as a pro player – three in the American Hockey League and eight in Europe.
“If he keeps growing as a hockey player, becomes thicker, stronger and faster, then you never know. You literally never know when someone can get their big break, or where that will come,” he added. “I’ve always said, any team that has two or three Patty Saini’s is going to win a whole lot of hockey games.”
Puck drop Oct. 11 for the Huskies tilt with the Panthers is 4 p.m. The team comes into the game on a high after snapping a seven-game losing skid with a 7-3 win over the Cobourg Cougars Oct. 6. Ryan Gosse and Connor Hollebek each had three points, propelling the Huskies to victory.
