F Nicholas Robertson - Peterborough Petes, OHL (2019, 53rd, TOR)

[DieTomi]

Weird, because just a few months ago you were wondering if he'd be a late 1st.

Can you get out of my posts? They are private. Thanks.

 

[William H Bonney]

Beast.

So many guys would just hang back and circle in the neutral zone while the defender breaks back out but Robertson is fairly relentless in his pursuit and pressure. He's caused havoc quite a few times hounding the opposition defense this tournament.

Here's more of the buildup that shows how he slows down a bit after forcing the defender to retreat and then takes off straight at him to force the turnover:

 

[mphmiles]

He's caused havoc quite a few times hounding the opposition defense this tournament.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It’s only summer hockey, but I’ve been more impressed with Robertson than Brink. I think we are talking about one spot here, at best, between the two of them. Robertson can be back the following year though, so if he doesn’t make it this year, he’s probably a lock the following year.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Apparently Nick Robertson is here to burn down your village.

 

[tealhockey]

It’s only summer hockey, but I’ve been more impressed with Robertson than Brink. I think we are talking about one spot here, at best, between the two of them. Robertson can be back the following year though, so if he doesn’t make it this year, he’s probably a lock the following year.

Same here. It is summer hockey though, and a lot of games over a short span. We'll see what they do this season, Brink will be playing men, maybe a different story in 3 months

 

[Knies iT]

 

[schnapshot]

So bummed the Habs traded their second 2nd round pick and passed on him.

 

[LeafChief]

So what are the odds he beats out a college kid to make the WJC team?

 

[William H Bonney]

So what are the odds he beats out a college kid to make the WJC team?

High. He's a very good player, had an excellent WJSS, and plays with a tenacity that USAH typically loves. By no means is he a lock but he certainly has an inside track.

It's a bit of a myth that USAH doesn't want to choose CHL players for the WJC. They certainly choose more current/future NCAAers, but that's also the route the majority of the best American players take, so that on its face is not unreasonable, either. In addition, there's the myth that only the very best players, the superstars, from the CHL will end up making it, which again isn't borne out by the facts. Robertson isn't a star OHLer (yet) but the majority of CHL players that have made Team USA at the WJC weren't superstars either.

There's also an inherent familiarity with the NCAA players because that's also where nearly all of the relevant USAH WJC figures (coaches, managers, scouts, executives, etc.) gained their experience with hockey. Does that familiarity breed bias or favoritism - intentional or not - on occasion? Absolutely. But I don't think there's any evidence for an intentional plot against CHLers.

For every Alex DeBrincat snub from the CHL, there's a similar NCAA snub like Kyle Connor, a guy that couldn't make a WJC team despite having played for Team USA 4 times (IIHF U18, Hlinka, 2 WJACs) and tearing apart the USHL and NCAA. When Connor was snubbed in his final year of WJC eligibility, the 2016 tournament, they took 5 current CHL forwards (DeBrincat, Dvorak, Eansor, MacInnis, Tkachuk) and 1 former one (Milano). Later that year, Connor played for Team USA at the
World Championships. In USAH's eyes, Connor wasn't good enough for the WJC but was good enough for the WC in the same season.

In nearly every case (the exception being players that renege on NTDP commitments), the disagreeable decisions aren't a matter of bias per se but incompetence - scouting is hard and coaches/management love to force certain systems/players onto a team in the face of overwhelming evidence.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

High. He's a very good player, had an excellent WJSS, and plays with a tenacity that USAH typically loves. By no means is he a lock but he certainly has an inside track.

It's a bit of a myth that USAH doesn't want to choose CHL players for the WJC. They certainly choose more current/future NCAAers, but that's also the route the majority of the best American players take, so that on its face is not unreasonable, either. In addition, there's the myth that only the very best players, the superstars, from the CHL will end up making it, which again isn't borne out by the facts. Robertson isn't a star OHLer (yet) but the majority of CHL players that have made Team USA at the WJC weren't superstars either.

There's also an inherent familiarity with the NCAA players because that's also where nearly all of the relevant USAH WJC figures (coaches, managers, scouts, executives, etc.) gained their experience with hockey. Does that familiarity breed bias or favoritism - intentional or not - on occasion? Absolutely. But I don't think there's any evidence for an intentional plot against CHLers.

For every Alex DeBrincat snub from the CHL, there's a similar NCAA snub like Kyle Connor, a guy that couldn't make a WJC team despite having played for Team USA 4 times (IIHF U18, Hlinka, 2 WJACs) and tearing apart the USHL and NCAA. When Connor was snubbed in his final year of eligibility, he ended up playing for Team USA at the World Championships later that year. In USAH's eyes, Connor wasn't good enough for the WJC but was good enough for the WC in the same season.

In nearly every case (the exception being players that renege on NTDP commitments), the disagreeable decisions aren't a matter of bias per se but incompetence - scouting is hard and coaches/management love to force certain systems/players onto a team in the face of overwhelming evidence.

This is a pretty great post. Well articulated to boot

 

[LeafChief]

High. He's a very good player, had an excellent WJSS, and plays with a tenacity that USAH typically loves. By no means is he a lock but he certainly has an inside track.

It's a bit of a myth that USAH doesn't want to choose CHL players for the WJC. They certainly choose more current/future NCAAers, but that's also the route the majority of the best American players take, so that on its face is not unreasonable, either. In addition, there's the myth that only the very best players, the superstars, from the CHL will end up making it, which again isn't borne out by the facts. Robertson isn't a star OHLer (yet) but the majority of CHL players that have made Team USA at the WJC weren't superstars either.

There's also an inherent familiarity with the NCAA players because that's also where nearly all of the relevant USAH WJC figures (coaches, managers, scouts, executives, etc.) gained their experience with hockey. Does that familiarity breed bias or favoritism - intentional or not - on occasion? Absolutely. But I don't think there's any evidence for an intentional plot against CHLers.

For every Alex DeBrincat snub from the CHL, there's a similar NCAA snub like Kyle Connor, a guy that couldn't make a WJC team despite having played for Team USA 4 times (IIHF U18, Hlinka, 2 WJACs) and tearing apart the USHL and NCAA. When Connor was snubbed in his final year of eligibility, he ended up playing for Team USA at the World Championships later that year. That was the 2016 WJC, where they took 5 current CHL forwards (DeBrincat, Dvorak, Eansor, MacInnis, Tkachuk) and 1 former one (Milano). In USAH's eyes, Connor wasn't good enough for the WJC but was good enough for the WC in the same season.

In nearly every case (the exception being players that renege on NTDP commitments), the disagreeable decisions aren't a matter of bias per se but incompetence - scouting is hard and coaches/management love to force certain systems/players onto a team in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Thanks Bonney.

Was Robertson offered a spot on the NTDP team? Did he try out?

Did he choose the OHL over the NTDP or did he go that route because the NTDP wasn't an option for him?

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Thanks Bonney.

Was Robertson offered a spot on the NTDP team? Did he try out?

Did he choose the OHL over the NTDP or did he go that route because the NTDP wasn't an option for him?

He followed his brother.

 

[LeafChief]

He followed his brother.

What was the reason his brother chose the OHL over the NTDP route?

 

[MrHeiskanen]

What was the reason his brother chose the OHL over the NTDP route?

Because they grew up in Mich and went to Plymouth games and he wanted to play in the OHL.

"Living in Northville, the Robertsons often went to Plymouth Whalers games just minutes from their house, and it was an introduction to the Ontario Hockey League. For Jason, playing in the OHL was the quickest way to get to the NHL, faster than playing juniors in the United States or going to college in America. That was the path he wanted to pursue."

 

[William H Bonney]

Thanks Bonney.

Was Robertson offered a spot on the NTDP team? Did he try out?

Did he choose the OHL over the NTDP or did he go that route because the NTDP wasn't an option for him?

He wasn't at the NTDP tryout camp nor was he at the Select 15 Player Development Camp, so it's unlikely he was seriously on the NTDP radar. Here's an article on his choice, although it doesn't have many specifics.

As @MrHeiskanen said, he went to the OHL because his brother Jason did and it was successful for him. Plus, the Robertson's are from California and started their hockey there, so they don't have the typical attachment to NCAA hockey like the majority of American youth players, plus each was playing in Canada in Midgets.

 

[Mrb1p]

He wasn't at the NTDP tryout camp nor was he at the Select 15 Player Development Camp, so it's unlikely he was seriously on the NTDP radar. Here's an article on his choice, although it doesn't have many specifics.

As @MrHeiskanen said, he went to the OHL because his brother Jason did and it was successful for him. Plus, the Robertson's are from California and started their hockey there, so they don't have the typical attachment to NCAA hockey like the majority of American youth players, plus each was playing in Canada in Midgets.

I think I read somewhere that their parents have been ontario residents for a while?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He was born on 9/11, and not just the day of the year. He was born 9/11/2001. Thats the first person I've seen with that birthdate. It doesn't relate to his hockey career, but its fascinating, so I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[William H Bonney]

I think I read somewhere that their parents have been ontario residents for a while?

They moved from California to Michigan and then Toronto to pursue hockey opportunities for Jason and Nick.

 

[DanM]

So bummed the Habs traded their second 2nd round pick and passed on him.

He actually reminds me of Gally!

You would have had two of them lol

 

[justafan22]

He was born on 9/11, and not just the day of the year. He was born 9/11/2001. Thats the first person I've seen with that birthdate. It doesn't relate to his hockey career, but its fascinating, so I thought it was worth mentioning.

He was born prematurely and almost didn't survive.

 

[Debrincat93]

kid is crazy skilled. very good complimentary piece in that top 6 into the future.

 

[bsu]

Gallagher clone

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Seems to be putting up a pretty good showing at the WJSS:



Centering first line with Wahlstrom on his wing last game.

He had a good showing in the traverse city prospects tournament game last night I hear. Haven’t had a chance to watch, but he had 2 goals and heard he was buzzing all night after a shakey start. Seems to be consistently standing out. Looking forward to seeing him in Leafs camp.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

He had a good showing in the traverse city prospects tournament game last night I hear. Haven’t had a chance to watch, but he had 2 goals, a fight and heard he was buzzing all night after a shakey start. Seems to be consistently standing out. Looking forward to seeing him in Leafs camp.

He had one of the worst turnovers you will ever see in his first shift that lead to a goal for St Louis but it seemed like once he got the nerves out of him he just dominated the game.