Brett Robinson of the Idaho Steelheads has had a distinguished hockey career to date both on and off the ice.  The 29-year old was a 4-year letter winner at Mercyhurst College while majoring in sport business, has won an ECHL Kelly Cup Championship, and last year was voted as the Steelheads’ Most Valuable Player.  He also sits on the PHPA Executive Committee, elected to the position by his fellow Player Representatives.  Throughout his success, however, Robinson has navigated through some unique circumstances and memorable hockey experiences.

While playing Junior hockey, Robinson was intrigued by the opportunity to pursue an education while playing the game he loves. 

“When I was playing junior for the Milton Icehawks, the team management was doing an excellent job of promoting their players,” said Robinson.  “Mercyhurst was interested in me, and after touring their campus, I felt like they were the one for me.  They also offered me a chance to play right away as a Freshman so I jumped at the opportunity.”

In his Senior year, he was named team Captain, a position of leadership not unfamiliar to Robinson, and a role which he relishes.  “I’m not overly vocal.  I play hard.  I find that when the team is having fun and playing hard, things tend to gel together nicely.  It’s also important, as a leader, to get to know the guys and have fun with them away from the rink.”

Following the 2008-09 season, Robinson signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL who had scouted him throughout his college career.   What he wasn’t expecting was the team to go on a memorable Cinderella playoff run that ensued his rookie year.  The team had finished fifth in their division during the regular season.  After upsetting the 4^th seed and defending Kelly Cup champion South Carolina Stingrays with the final three games of that series ending in Overtime, then defeating the regular season Champion Charlotte Checkers in seven games, the Cyclones clawed back from a 3-0 series deficit against the Reading Royals in the Conference Finals to earn a spot in the Kelly Cup Finals. 

“That was a really special and memorable year,” recounts Robinson.  “It was my first year playing pro and a good way to experience the ups and downs of an entire season.  I would say we were a good team but didn’t blow anyone out of the water.  We got on a good roll during the playoffs and I learned a lot from the older guys that year, seeing how they lead the rookies.  We had over 15,000 fans at those playoff games.  It was such a cool atmosphere.  And to be capped off with a Kelly Cup Championship was pretty special.”

Robinson would score the deciding Kelly Cup goal in Game 5, against Idaho of all teams.

“That was definitely the biggest goal of my career, which is ironic because now I’m playing for Idaho.  I was a rookie at the time, it was the game-winner, and perhaps that impressed upon the Steelheads management.  Idaho is a great spot to play with incredible fan support and I am really happy with how things worked out.”

The outlook though, wasn’t always clear for Robinson.  After playing another season with the Cyclones and then landing in Greenville the following year, the domino effect of the NHL-NHLPA lockout began to be felt on ECHL players.  During the 2012-13 season, as players on NHL entry-level contracts were being permissibly assigned to the American Hockey League, the increase in player supply caused Robinson to play for 3 different teams in 2 different Leagues in the same season.

“That was a tough year for me.  The NHL lockout caused a lot of player movement which trickled to the ECHL level.  I began the year in Greenville but wasn’t playing a lot.  The coach was actually really good about finding a different team and opportunity for me to play.  Quad City of the Central Hockey League was very interested in me so I went there which was a whole new experience playing in a different league.  I did well there, but once the lockout was over and Idaho expressed an interest in me, I signed with them and have been there ever since.”

The Steelheads tend to do well when Robinson is in the line-up have a winning percentage of over .630 compared to a .500 record when he doesn’t play.

“Some guys are really focused on points whereas I consider myself a responsible forward.  Taking care of the defensive zone is big to me and I think that wears off on people.”

Robinson’s role and dedication to the team game hasn’t gone unnoticed.  Last season, he earned the honor of Team MVP having recorded 12 goals and 37 points in 47 games to go along with a +19 rating.

“That was a huge honor for me personally and I definitely appreciated it.  This year, I’ve had some injuries and am working on getting back after being off for over a month and a half.  I’m just helping where I can as the guys want to win.”

Robinson’s Twitter profile (@robino85) reads ‘Part-time hockey player. Full-time pilot.’  When asked to explain his passion for flying, he likened the pilot reference as a metaphor for his outlook on life.

“I’ve always had an interest in flying, but realized that the pilot is the one in complete control of the plane.  I consider myself to be the pilot of my own life and being in control of what I want to accomplish.”

Robinson took control of the Steelheads’ PHPA Player Representative duties during the 2012-13 season and was later elected to serve on the PHPA Executive Committee, although originally not seeing himself in that role with the union. 

“When I first came into the League, like a lot of younger guys, I didn’t pay too much attention about the PHPA to be honest.  I knew what it was and knew that it was there.  But as time went on, the PHPA helped me deal with an injury I suffered and I really began to appreciate what they do for players.  When an opportunity came about to become the team Player Representative I jumped all over it.  It’s great experience to have on your resume.  Then to be elected to the Executive Committee and be involved with some key decisions that help guide the Association has been awesome.  You get to know other players as well as the PHPA staff and their team of Advisors on a much more intimate level.”

Part of the experience of being a PHPA Player Representative is attending the week-long PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives during the off-season.

“The meetings are great and very interesting.  The PHPA staff, Advisors, and League Presidents do most of the talking and make it easy to understand the ins and outs of what is going on. It is a lot like a family atmosphere.  I had some questions prepared from past situations that I have had to deal with and was fortunate to have a tremendous amount of one-on-one time with staff and attorneys who have been around the game for a long time.”

“The PHPA has done a lot of work on behalf of myself and a lot of other players I know.  The reason some veteran guys are still able to play is directly due to the PHPA as some probably wouldn’t be able to afford to play with the injuries they have sustained.  The PHPA provides a lot of help and guidance for players and I hope players take advantage of the programs offered through the PHPA.”

Spoken like a true leader who has experienced some of the ups and downs of the game, Brett Robinson remains committed to helping fellow players both on and off the ice, and adding another Championship to go along with his already impressive hockey resume.