Paton was a pioneer goaltender in organized hockey. His hockey career can be traced back to the early Montreal Carnivals prior to the formation of the AHAC in 1885. He was a founding member of the Montreal Hockey Club. His career would be marked by dominance. Throughout every season he played between 1888 and 1893 for the Montreal HC, his team would win the AHAC championship. The authors of the reference book
Ultimate Hockey consider Paton's performance in 1890, 1891 and 1893 to be worthy of winning the equivalent to the
Vezina Trophy that the NHL awards today for top goal tender. He was regarded in many history texts as being undefeated in 1890 and 1891. In the
1892 AHAC season, Paton and the Montreal HC lost the championship to the
Ottawa Hockey Club in the first game of the season. But in the final challenge of the season Paton and the Montreal HC defeated Ottawa 1–0 to regain the championship. In the
1893 AHAC season, the Montreal HC would win the season series and become the first winners of the Stanley Cup. Paton would retire from play after the season, making him also the first goalie to retire from Stanley Cup hockey competition as a current champion. Paton's 1885 Montreal Carnival championship medal sold for over in a 2009 auction. == Post career ==