Scoring Sensation: Senior Center Patrick Grzywacz Captains AWF Renegades Offense

By Ross Forman
Patrick Grzywacz heads into his senior season this fall skating for the AWF Renegades, a mix of players from Fenton Community, Addison Trail, Willowbrook and Montini Catholic High Schools.

The Renegade finished one-point behind the D211 Chiefs for first place in the 10-team Varsity Gold League in the IHSHL North-Central Division.

And Grzywacz had a standout junior year, his third on the co-op varsity team. He finished with 29 points in 24 regular season games, which was third-most in the league; and his 20 goals were second-most.

“Patrick is a four-year varsity starter and a proven leader, on and off the ice, which is exactly why he’s this year’s captain,” said Renegades head coach James McLaughlin. “He’s a two-way player who plays with speed and grit.”

Grzywacz was named the MVP of the all-star game this past season and has been a two-time all-star.

“He shows up big in the moments that matter; I have no doubt he’ll set the tone for this upcoming season. He has his sights set on playing at the next level … and whatever program is lucky enough to land him is getting a great teammate and player,” McLaughlin said.

Grzywacz, 17, who lives in Wood Dale, attends Fenton Community High School. He plays center and formerly skated fore the Blues and the Express. He is a passive player, always the third guy high “and in the right position on the ice, which allows me to have great vision,” he said.

“The hard work and mentality that (former Renegades head coach) Matt (Benton) put me through and the fact that he believed in me since freshman year when he put me on the varsity team led me to push through this (past) season and accomplish what I (did).”

His junior season was “arguably my most memorable season,” he said. “The pressure we had going into the season, having such a small group of guys, we needed to perform and I knew that going into every game. I gave everything I had out there and was able to score and put up as many points as I did. I couldn’t have done it with a better and more determined group of guys.”

Grzywacz said his parents helped mold him into the player he is. “My dad always pushed me to be more aggressive and more physical, even though I was smaller and shorter than all the guys on the ice. He always told me to push it to the point where I know where the limit is, which in this case is a penalty. My mom made me play other sports to help with seeing the ice differently and always told me not to listen to what other people think, which helped me mentally as I grew. Both have seriously shaped the way I play the sport and I can’t thank them enough for it.”

Grzywacz is clear on his goals for his final high school season: be first in the league in goals and overall points. 

Slapshots With … Renegades Center Patrick Grzywacz

Jersey Number: 18
Career Highlight: “Freshman year, scoring in the championship game of (a) tournament to win it.”
Personal Hockey Highlight: Finished top three in points as a junior.
Junior Season: “We had an amazing group that made the season very memorable.”
Skillset: “I am skilled with edge work, skating and stick handling. Since I’m able to have great confidence in my edges, it allows me to skate my way on the ice in any way possible.”
Overcoming Obstacles: “I never gave up when I was younger (and) was smaller and slower. I always had that edge work and stick handling and as I grew, I continued to improve those skills despite what coaches thought.”
It’s a Fact: “I was a late bloomer and was a slow skater, which affected my placement on teams.”
Hockey Motivation: “To be the best.”
One Moment: “During a game against D211, I made a move and it caused two of their players to collide with each other; I then scored my third goal of that game.”
Off The Ice: “Workout in my garage, hang out with friends as much as I can and playing golf and volleyball.”
It Helps: “Eating healthy was an important thing that I did during the season which helped my performance.”
Superstitions On The Ice: “Always have my gear the same way and not change it and always stick handle before the game till I feel a burn in my forearms which tells me my hands are warmed up.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks 
Favorite NHL Players: Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle on Ice 
Favorite TV Show: Suits
Motivational Song: “As a team, we played the same songs every game and the one before we left the locker room was always Hard Beat by TNT, Darren Styles, Technoboy and Tuneboy.”
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Pasta and salmon 
Favorite app: TikTok
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Adam Sandler