Newcomers fitting in
Winger Jason Robertson picked up three assists in his first game for the Niagara IceDogs last week after being acquired from the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo: NIAGARA ICEDOGS
Jason Robertson has seen his share of ups and downs over the last few months of hockey.
The 19-year-old winger was a main player last season as the Kingston Frontenacs made it to the Eastern Conference finals before being eliminated by the eventual Ontario Hockey League champion Hamilton Bulldogs.
But the Frontenacs got off to a slow start this year and Robertson figured he could be in line to be dealt if Kingston were to go into a rebuild mode.
The shoe finally dropped last week when the Frontenacs, off to a 7-17 start, dealt Robertson and defenceman Jacob Paquette to the Niagara IceDogs in a massive blockbuster deal that saw Billy Constantinou, Ian Martin and a whopping 11 draft picks head to the Fronts.
“Last year, we went all in in Kingston so this year I figured we wouldn’t be as strong,” Robertson said Wednesday, before hitting the ice for practice. “We got off to kind of a slow start. It was a quick transition from one team to another.
“I kind of had an idea it was coming. To come with Jacob when it finally happened made it more comfortable.”
Robertson, a 19-year-old native of Arcadia, Calif., who was the Dallas Stars second selection in the 2017 NHL draft, admitted it was tough to deal with being at the bottom of the standings after an extended playoff run last season.
“It was a weird scenario where we had some guys back from last year,” Robertson said. “It was different but I’m here now and Kingston is going to rebuild for the next couple of years. I look forward to seeing them do well and look forward to winning with Niagara this year.”
Robertson was thrilled when he heard he had become an IceDog.
“I look back at it now I think this is one of the better spots I could have come to,” he added. “The coaching staff is still a little different for me. I was in Kingston for three-and-a-half years so it’s still a transition for me.
“I felt like I fit in pretty well and I’m just going to continue to work in practice.”
Robertson made his Niagara debut last week picking up three assists in a win over Barrie.
“I played against Niagara a bunch of times in my career so I knew the Meridian Centre is one of the best rinks in the NHL. I knew they were a fast team and a team going for it this year and I was looking forward to getting to Niagara.”
Niagara coach Billy Burke has been more than happy with the two new acquisitions.
“They’ve been exactly what we’ve needed and probably even a little bit more,” he said. “It’s still very early and there is still an adjustment period when you make a move like this, but off the ice the guys have fit in tremendously and on the ice they are everything we hoped for.”
Burke said the new players have infused the club with purpose.
“They’re excited. It kind of snaps everyone to attention. Our practices have had more purpose and have had more tempo. Everyone kind of realizes what’s going on and why these things are happening.”
Burke left the door open for the IceDogs to further tinker with the roster before the Jan. 10 trade deadline.
“We’re in not rush to do anything now. We’re going to take from now to January to see what’s out there and who becomes available. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us add some more but we’re happy with the team now and we’ll see how it goes.”
The IceDogs are home to Owen Sound Thursday.
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