In the early 1970s, Gordie Howe and sons, Mark and Marty, transformed the hockey scene in Houston by joining the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. After watching the trio take the ice, Patrick Andrade quickly became hooked on hockey.

Over the years, the 53-year-old has remained involved with the game in different capacities, including the past 15-plus years behind the bench.

He started coaching in a house program in Sugar Land in 1997, and over the years his experiences have taken him from the Mite level up to high school. Currently, Patrick is assisting six teams in the local adult novice league, and he continues to play in three Senior Division Leagues.

“It’s a fun game,” Patrick said when asked why he has stayed involved in the game. “As far as the coaching aspect of it, just the rewards of seeing how the kids have grown and kept the game in their lives. Watching how they build their self-confidence to be successful not only on the ice, but also, in other areas of their life as well.”