Patrick Rissmiller Patrick Rissmiller ( born October 26 , 1978 in Belmont , Massachusetts ) is an American professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . Early years . Rissmiller was born in Boston and grew up in Belmont , Massachusetts . He is the fourth of eight children of David and Patricia Rissmiller . He attended Belmont High School ( where he was cut from the varsity hockey team ) , but transferred to Williston Northampton School . He completed a post - graduate year at The Hill School before attending Holy Cross . Playing career . Amateur . Rissmiller played at the College of the Holy Cross of the NCAA . He is considered to be one of the best male hockey player to ever come from that college . Rissmiller ' s best season was when he scored 16 goals and added 30 assists in 2001 – 2002 . He was noted for his physical domination and strong two - way play for Holy Cross . In total , he scored 53 goals and 90 assists in 131 games for the college . Undrafted , he signed his first pro contract with the San Jose Sharks . Professional . In 2002 – 03 , he had 14 goals and 26 assists in 72 games for the Cleveland Barons of the AHL . In the midst of the 2003 – 04 season , Rissmiller was called up to San Jose , where he registered no points in four games . That year , however , he had 14 goals and 31 assists in 75 games in the AHL . Continuing to gain experience , Rissmiller played the year of the NHL lockout in Cleveland and potted 21 goals and 23 assists in 69 games playing on the top line . In the 2005 – 06 season , Rissmiller put up 15 goals and 32 assists in 68 games , before injuries to the Sharks gave Rissmiller a chance to play in the NHL . In the 2006 – 07 season , Rissmiller totaled 22 points for the Sharks including 7 goals and 15 assists . On April 27 , 2006 Rissmiller scored his first career playoff goal off a deflection from a shot taken by fellow rookie Matt Carle . He signed a two - year - contract worth $ 990 , 000 in August 2006 . Rissmiller suffered a shoulder separation and a broken foot in the 2006 playoffs . However , he played ( and scored one goal ) until San Jose was eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers . In the 2007 – 08 season , in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals , Rissmiller scored the game - winning goal in the second overtime against the Nashville Predators . On July 1 , 2008 , he signed as a free agent to a 3 year , $ 3 million contract with the New York Rangers . Rissmiller started the 2008 – 09 season with the Rangers and was injured in his Rangers debut , a 4 - 3 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 11 , 2008 . Failing to secure a place upon his recovery , Rissmiller played in only 2 games with New York before he was assigned on a conditioning assignment to AHL affiliate , the Hartford Wolf Pack on November 12 , 2008 . After completing his assignment and without a role on the Rangers , he was then returned to the Wolf Pack for the duration of the season on December 2 , 2008 . In 64 games with Hartford , he finished third in team scoring with assists , and 54 points . In the following 2009 – 10 season , Rissmiller remained in the AHL with the Wolf Pack . He recorded two assists in 6 games before he was re - assigned by the Rangers to fellow AHL team , the Grand Rapids Griffins . In 63 appearances for the Griffins , Rissmiller finished second on the team in scoring with 45 points . On August 2 , 2010 , Rissmiller ' s disappointing tenure with the Rangers concluded when he was traded , along with Donald Brashear , to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for center Todd White . Failing to make the Thrasher ' s roster prior to the 2010 – 11 season , Rissmiller was again demoted to the AHL to affiliate , the Chicago Wolves for the last year of his contract . Due to the Wolves exceeding number of veteran players , Rissmiller was limited to 6 games with the Wolves before on November 20 , 2010 , Rissmiller was reassigned by the Thrashers to the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL , marking a return to Cleveland from his previous four - year tenure with the Barons . On December 3 , 2010 , Rissmiller set a franchise record for the Monsters for most goals in a game with 4 . After scoring 30 points in 42 games for the Monsters , Rissmiller was recalled and made a lone appearance for the Atlanta Thrashers in a 4 - 1 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres on February 23 , 2011 . He was then briefly returned to the Monsters before he was traded on February 28 , 2011 to the Florida Panthers , along with Niclas Bergfors , in exchange for Radek Dvorak and a fifth - round draft pick . On July 12 , 2011 , Rissmiller signed a one - year contract with the Colorado Avalanche , the NHL affiliate of Lake Erie .