While Dennis Robertson watched the future of hockey in Fort St. John, he couldn’t help but smile.
The 25-year-old, who signed a one-year deal with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League this summer, was back where it all began last week.
“I’m just out here having fun, trying to pass on as much knowledge as I can do these kids. It’s always great to be back,” said Robertson, who grew up in Baldonnel and played many days in Taylor Arena.
“It brings you back to the roots of the game. When it becomes a job… the day in and day out is a struggle but this is what brings it all back. It’s really cool to be back here… A lot of laughs.”
The defenseman returned for a week this summer to help coach young players at the Best Performance Summer Hockey School.
Robertson has made a point to come home since he pushed himself into the upper echelon of hockey from Brown University to the NHL draft and professional hockey.
He said it’s remarkable the level of learning that is happening at a summer camp in August, a far cry from the days of basic skating, shooting and passing drills that he grew up on. He added one of the biggest things he’s noticed is the coaching crew at camp using the same descriptions of drills and plays that he hears at the NHL level.
“Even the language, we don’t really dumb it down for these kids very much anymore. We tell them exactly what they need to know because it’s understandable. You can see it in the progression of minor hockey,” he said.
“I didn’t come back for the hockey school last year, they were unsure of whether it was going to go so I decided to focus on my camp. Even a year gap between then and now, to see what Phil and Darren and the coaches in town have done with these kids is impressive.”
While taking in the simple pleasures of home, Robertson acknowledged the last year was tough after he was traded again, the third time since he started in pro hockey.
The benefit: he was moved to the Chicago Blackhawks organization, one of the most successful and innovative franchises in the pro game today.
“It’s a part of the game. You understand that going in that you’re not really in control of your destiny. Worry about the things you can control,” he recalled.
“Nobody likes to get that phone call. No matter what level you’re at that’s a tough call to take but at the end of the day you just have to work that much harder. Honestly, it was a great experience to be in an organization like Chicago for a while was fantastic. Now Carolina wants me back, so it’s a good place to be.”
Being wanted back in the organization that has showed faith in him since he started his pro journey is certainly a comforting feeling, but the depth on the backend that is potentially preventing Robertson from making the NHL is concerning. Right now, the Hurricanes currently have five defenseman under contract who are under 23 and on Robertson’s AHL squad, he will likely be the senior member at 25.
“They have a really young team up there. Every year going into camp they have a lot of spots pencilled in with their top guys,” he said.
“They have a really young, solid defense core up there so it’s going to be tough to crack. There’s always opportunities and there’s injuries and stuff so I’m just going to be ready and play as best I can. I’m still enjoying the game and it’s fun out there.”
Robertson was given one year of certainty from the Hurricanes, another year that makes him more certain of reaching the NHL dream that started on the small kids rink in the Taylor Arena.
While Dennis Robertson watched the future of hockey in Fort St. John, he couldn’t help but smile.
The 25-year-old, who signed a one-year deal with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League this summer, was back where it all began last week.
“I’m just out here having fun, trying to pass on as much knowledge as I can do these kids. It’s always great to be back,” said Robertson, who grew up in Baldonnel and played many days in Taylor Arena.
“It brings you back to the roots of the game. When it becomes a job… the day in and day out is a struggle but this is what brings it all back. It’s really cool to be back here… A lot of laughs.”
The defenseman returned for a week this summer to help coach young players at the Best Performance Summer Hockey School.
Robertson has made a point to come home since he pushed himself into the upper echelon of hockey from Brown University to the NHL draft and professional hockey.
He said it’s remarkable the level of learning that is happening at a summer camp in August, a far cry from the days of basic skating, shooting and passing drills that he grew up on. He added one of the biggest things he’s noticed is the coaching crew at camp using the same descriptions of drills and plays that he hears at the NHL level.
“Even the language, we don’t really dumb it down for these kids very much anymore. We tell them exactly what they need to know because it’s understandable. You can see it in the progression of minor hockey,” he said.
“I didn’t come back for the hockey school last year, they were unsure of whether it was going to go so I decided to focus on my camp. Even a year gap between then and now, to see what Phil and Darren and the coaches in town have done with these kids is impressive.”
While taking in the simple pleasures of home, Robertson acknowledged the last year was tough after he was traded again, the third time since he started in pro hockey.
The benefit: he was moved to the Chicago Blackhawks organization, one of the most successful and innovative franchises in the pro game today.
“It’s a part of the game. You understand that going in that you’re not really in control of your destiny. Worry about the things you can control,” he recalled.
“Nobody likes to get that phone call. No matter what level you’re at that’s a tough call to take but at the end of the day you just have to work that much harder. Honestly, it was a great experience to be in an organization like Chicago for a while was fantastic. Now Carolina wants me back, so it’s a good place to be.”
Being wanted back in the organization that has showed faith in him since he started his pro journey is certainly a comforting feeling, but the depth on the backend that is potentially preventing Robertson from making the NHL is concerning. Right now, the Hurricanes currently have five defenseman under contract who are under 23 and on Robertson’s AHL squad, he will likely be the senior member at 25.
“They have a really young team up there. Every year going into camp they have a lot of spots pencilled in with their top guys,” he said.
“They have a really young, solid defense core up there so it’s going to be tough to crack. There’s always opportunities and there’s injuries and stuff so I’m just going to be ready and play as best I can. I’m still enjoying the game and it’s fun out there.”
Robertson was given one year of certainty from the Hurricanes, another year that makes him more certain of reaching the NHL dream that started on the small kids rink in the Taylor Arena.
– See more at: http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/sports/fort-st-john/dennis-robertson-relishing-another-chance-with-charlotte-checkers-1.2333950#sthash.2c3Lpm4f.dpuf
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