Patrick Wiercioch
| Birthday: 1990-09-12 | Position: D |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Shoots: Left |
| Drafted: 2008 | Height: 6-4 |
| Acquired: 2nd round (42nd overall), 2008 | Weight: 198 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- B
History
2006-07: Patrick Wiercioch joined up with the Burnaby Express (BCHL) this season, where he scored nine goals and 25 points in 42 games. He was named the BCHL Rookie of the Year for his hard work this season.
2007-08: This marked the defenseman’s first season with the Omaha Lancers (USHL), a 40 game campaign that resulted in 21 points (3g+18a); Omaha took the USHL title this season.
2008-09: This marked Wiercioch’s first season with the University of Denver (WCHA). In 36 games as a rookie, the defenseman set several career-highs, including goals (12), assists (23) and points (35). He won a slew of honors this season, snagging the clubs Most Valuable Freshman award as he led the team in rookie scoring; he led WCHA D-men and NCAA rookie defensemen in goals and took second in points in both the WCHA and NCAA. He was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team and got an All-WCHA second team nod. He was also nominated to the All-College Hockey News Rookie Team and the Inside College Hockey Freshman All-American Team; he was also awarded with DU’s Barry Sharp Memorial Award for the team’s top rookie.
2009-10: His second and last season with Denver, Wiercioch would play a big role with the team, scoring 6 goals and 21 assists. He would be named to the NCAA (WCHA) All Academic Team and the NCAA (WCHA) First All Star Team.
2010-11: Wiercioch had a challenging initial season adjusting to the speed and size of professional hockey. He was down on the blue-line depth chart but did improve as the second progressed finishing with four goals and 14 assists in 67 regular season AHL games and an assist in 15 Calder Cup contests he suited up for. The Senators brought him up for an eight game audition near the end of the NHL season where he handled himself well and contributed two assists.
2011-12: Wiercioch's second pro season was interrupted by a serious throat injury suffered in a December game when he was hit by a clearing attempt while skating for Ottawa's AHL affiliate Binghamton. He returned to the lineup at the end of January and gradually worked back to the level at which he was playing before the injury. In 57 games for Binghamton he scored 4 goals (all on the power play) with 16 assists and was minus-14 with 34 penalty minutes. Binghamton missed the playoffs; finishing fifth in the East Division.
2012-13: Wiercioch was one of several rookies to step into the lineup for Ottawa and finished as the second-leading scorer amongst Senators defensemen. In 42 games he scored 5 goals with 14 assists and was +9 with 39 penalty minutes; averaging 15:41 minutes of ice time. Wierioch missed time late in the season due to injury and suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first period of his only playoff appearance in Game 3 against Montreal. Wiercioch played 32 games for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton prior to his call up, scoring 10 goals with 9 assists and finishing +10 with 22 penalty minutes. He was re-signed by Ottawa to a three-year contract as a restricted free agent in July of 2013.
Talent Analysis
Wiercioch has a nice blend of size and skill. He’s a good all-round defenseman who can play in many different situations. A mobile puck moving defenseman, he has very good hands but needs to improve his skating. Additional size and strength will need to be added to become more effective against higher competition. Has the smarts and know how to be effective.
Future
