That's really no mistake since C.J.'s father is Craig Patrick, general manager and recently appointed president and chief executive officer of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. Craig oversees the day-to-day operations of the Penguins franchise and continues as general manager in charge of hockey operations.

C.J.'s love for the game stemmed directly from his father's involvement in the game. Craig enjoyed a successful career at the University of Denver from 1966-69, including acting as team captain his senior year when the Pioneers won the NCAA Championship.

Craig's professional hockey career ran from 1971-79 when he played in the NHL and World Hockey Association. From 1979-80 he was an assistant coach then assistant general manager of the U.S. Olympic hockey team which won the gold medal. He held several managerial positions for the New York Rangers from 1980-86, then returned to his alma mater as director of athletics from 1987-89.

Since then, Craig has served as the general manager for the Penguins and twice served as the team's interim coach.

While Craig had his hands full in the NHL, C.J., short for Cory Jason, was taking it all in. Where he once watched his father play hockey, C.J. now watches Craig operate one of the bigger franchises in the NHL.

"It's nice having that insight into what goes on in an NHL franchise," C.J. said. "He'll tell me what he did at work that day, and it's stuff a lot of people would like to know."

C.J.'s insider information has led him to improve his effectiveness on the ice over his career at Penn State. His father has helped him work through multiple playing misfortunes to achieve his current status as one of the Icers' leading scorers.

From his father's experiences playing for a varsity hockey program, C.J. knew going to a school with a varsity hockey program would mean mostly bench time for his first few seasons -- something he definitely didn't want.

C.J.'s first season in an Icers uniform was in 1995. He wanted to come in with a bang, but that was not the case. Although he played in 13 of Penn State's 34 games that season, he never scored. For the next few years his scoring woes continued as he hit the post more than the back of the net.

Last year, because of injuries, he was forced to sit out 22 of 37 games and only scored three times. Despite the injury-riddled season, Penn State coach Joe Battista recognized C.J. as a potential offensive leader for the team and appointed him co-captain.

Battista's predictions for C.J. came true this year, his fourth and final year with the Icers. The senior currently is tied for the leading scoring position with fellow center Alon Eizenman with 18 goals.

"During his first few seasons, the scoring chances were there, but the shots just weren't going in," Battista said. "But this season everything seems to be going in for him, and he's making that happen for himself."

Although C.J. knows he is one of the team's leading scorers, he modestly admitted that the majority of his goals have come on the power play. Still, Battista recognized that it is quite an accomplishment for a checking-line center to be leading the scoring race.

Despite C.J.'s hot start, he said at the end of this season he is finished with hockey. Because of the injuries he sustained last year, he doesn't feel pursuing an NHL playing career is worth the risk of further injury. Passing on a playing career may also mean passing on managerial positions such as the ones his father currently holds for the Penguins -- positions usually reserved for former players.

C.J. admitted that though he will not be following his father's footsteps into the NHL, he is also not looking forward to the end of his career as an Icer, so he's getting in his hits while he can.

And boy is he ever. Since the start of C.J.'s career at Penn State, he said his main job has been defense. The senior has found that the most effective way of shutting down his opponent's first line is with heavy body checks.

"The only way I know how to play is hard," C.J. said. "When I don't have the skill, I just hit people. There are games when nothing else is working for me."

Most people may not think there is a technique to hitting, but Patrick has made it into an art form, drawing awes from the crowd every time he takes a player into the boards.

Although he got his love for the game from his father, that's not where he got his ability to hit, admitting Craig's style was "all about finesse." Both C.J.'s father and Battista recognize that no one but C.J. can take credit for his rise to leadership status.

Although Craig played with intensity, he admitted C.J. has taken intensity to the highest level.

"He's a wonderful offensive player with a great knowledge of the ice. He's also a very hard worker," said Craig, sitting in the stands at last Saturday's Penn State game. "He's worked very hard to get to where he is now. He plays with a lot of heart. All the drive and the energy that he puts forth on the ice, he pulls from within himself."

And from the inspiration his father instilled in him years ago.