here's the reason
Winter Hawks Drop Robin Big Snake from Roster
Dean Vrooman - October 12, 2004
The Portland Winter Hawks announced today that they have dropped 20-year-old forward Robin Big Snake from their playing roster.
“We realize this will come as a surprise,†said Portland Coach Mike Williamson, who made the final decision. “What happens in the dressing room of a hockey team stays in the dressing room of a hockey team, but we had an issue following Sunday night’s game that I felt could not be resolved. The team as a whole is the most important part of what all of us are doing. I feel to have any chance to win in this league, we as a team have to all be pulling in the same direction. It was apparent to me this could not happen with Robin on our team.â€
“I want Robin and all the fans to know how much we appreciated the good things he did, on and off the ice, during his time with the Winter Hawks,†Williamson added. “He really enjoyed being with the fans at our team functions, was really good with kids and always went over and above when he was in that venue. And, when Robin is team focused on the ice, he can be an asset to any hockey team. But, for whatever reason, we were unable to get Robin to channel his competitiveness and talent, which are two of his biggest assets, in the right direction. Unfortunately, I felt he was a distraction to what we need to do as a team and Sunday night it got to the point where I had to act.â€
The Winter Hawks lost their second game in a row, 4-1, to Lethbridge Sunday in Memorial Coliseum.
Portland General Manager Ken Hodge spent Monday trying to trade Big Snake to another team in the WHL, but was unsuccessful. Williamson felt that he had to deal with this issue before the Hawks took to the ice to practice today in Memorial Coliseum. So, he told Big Snake this morning of the team’s decision. Big Snake is going back to Alberta pending further developments.
“Perhaps part of the reason Robin was having trouble here is he may have been focused on his pro hockey career instead of making the Winter Hawks his top priority,†Williamson said. “I can understand that, to some extent. He apparently had a terrific camp at Hartford and nearly signed a contract because they saw all the positive things we see day in and day out with Robin.â€
“I believe he is going to have to come to grips with what makes any hockey team successful. No matter what level of hockey he plays, and we hope he has a great career, I think he is going to have to learn some things and realize he needs to make some changes. Hopefully, when he reflects on what happened here, he will make those changes. If he does, in my opinion, he can be a big part of whatever team he plays for next, be it in our league, orin pro hockey.â€