"Give a man a hockey stick and a ball and he will play ball hockey. Give the same to Patrick Langley, and he will work magic." The famous words of an anonymous spectator at an OHHA league game. Patrick Langley's birthday shares the day that Captain Chuck Yeager of the US Air Force became the first man to break the speed of sound in his X-1 rocket plane on October 14, 1992, however Yeager broke the speed of sound in 1946. Many believe this event has a direct correlation to Patrick's speed and athletic ability he possesses on the court. Patrick grew up in the small rural town of Burketon, Ontario where he began to garner his passion for hockey by playing on rinks his dad made on his property during the winter. Everyday during winter he would come home from school and lace 'em up to learn the tools of the trade as his dad would say. Playing for the Orono Leafs for several seasons, Patrick had a stellar career as a defenceman, bringing the crowd to its feet with his bone-jarring hits, passing plays, and heart. However he yearned to showcase his offensive abilities since he played on a lacklustre team and was forced to play defence.
After moving to Whitby at age 12, Patrick had sparse playing time with Trinity College's Junior School hockey team as he found it difficult to adjust to its offensive tempo. "You know the talent and the ability was there, but he just couldn't adjust." said the JS coach of Patrick's arrival to the team. Patrick's playing time was erratic and he began to drift from hockey all together, focusing on basketball, another sport he loves.
Nearly three years later, Patrick recieved a call from Arman Mulji, the commisioner of the newly created OHHA ball hockey league informing him of his eligibility for the upcoming 2008-2009 entry draft. The O's organization drafted him 3rd overall, an event that he says changed his life forever. "It changed my life forever," says Patrick. He would go on to make OHHA history registering the first OHHA goal ever scored. Patrick's chance to become the offensive player he'd always wanted to had finally arrived. The goals would continue to flow for Patrick who currently has 84 in his career with the O's. He currently leads all OHHA players with 12 playoff goals to date. Patrick's play making abilities are considered the hallmark of his game, as he has tallied 125 assists in his career.
After being an integral part of last years O's championship team, Patrick hopes he can help the team to what will be his last championship with the O's as after this season he plans to retire. "You know there comes a time when you wake up one day and say 'I've had enough of this shit'" says Patrick. O's fans will certainly be sad to see him go but are thankful for the memories.
