Long wait nearly over for Tristen Robins

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This article was published 30/09/2020 (1814 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tristen Robins has seen enough horror movies to understand the wait he endured the past several months.

The 18-year-old Brandonite had a career high 73 points with the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades last season and is eligible for next week’s National Hockey League draft. He said it wasn’t easy as the event was pushed back from its traditional spot in June to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It’s an interesting time for everybody,” Robins said.

“This draft class especially, we’re going to find it pretty unique and hopefully it’s never going to happen like this again. I’m just looking forward to the process of the draft and what’s going to happen afterwards. I feel like excitement-wise, there’s nothing different. There’s just a little more anticipation. It’s like a jump-scare in a movie that you’re waiting for and waiting for and finally it comes.”

The first round of the NHL draft will be conducted next Tuesday, with the other six rounds taking place on Wednesday.

Players have to be born by Sept. 15 to be selected with the other players in their birth year, but Robins’ Nov. 15 birthday pushed him back to getting drafted in his 18-year-old season. As it turned out, that was a good thing.

After a 25-point rookie campaign in the WHL as a 17-year-old, Robins exploded for 33 goals and 40 assists last season on a line with Kyle Crnkovic and Martin Fasko-Rudas, winning the team scoring title, along with being named top defensive forward, most gentlemanly, best forward and most valuable player.

“I was extremely happy with my season,” Robins said.

“I think I for sure could have done a better job at the start of the season. I was really disappointed going into the second half because I had higher expectations for myself. The main thought and goal in my mind was to do everything I can in the second half to put my name out there and turn some heads. I showed people what kind of player I am.”

Robins thought he left a good impression down the stretch as he piled up 16 points in his final nine games. That included six multi-point games and seven goals.

In Central Scoutings final rankings, Robins was rated 86th among North American skaters, after earning a midterm ranking of 134th. In his TSN rankings of all eligible players, Bob McKenzie gave Robins an honourable mention.

Robins spoke to all 31 NHL clubs during the summer, a task the gregarious teenager enjoyed.

“It’s a little interesting for sure because usually they would be doing it in person at the combine,” Robins said.

“Really, with this draft class, we’re not accustomed to anything else because this is our first time going through it all. Right now it’s pretty normal to see a Zoom call with 10 or 15 people on it and converse that way.

“It’s unique, the excitement when an NHL team calls you and you get to talk to their scouting staff and organization. It’s really thrilling.”

Robins said the only advice he received was from his father Trevor, a former Blades and Brandon Wheat Kings star who enjoyed a long professional career. Trevor told Tristen to be himself and be confident.

“It’s essentially a job interview so you’re looking to impress people,” Robins said.

He took a very different approach during the season. Robins said he was mostly successful in putting the draft out of his mind when he was playing. 

“I’m the type of player who likes to live in the moment so when I’m playing a game, it’s definitely not on my mind,” Robins said.

“Maybe afterwards or before, but it’s one of those things where I think I did a good job of keeping it in the back of my head. I know it sounds cliché but it wasn’t one of my main focuses because I know that I can’t really control what people see in me and what people think of me. I wanted to do my best to turn heads and give myself the best chance possible.”

Beyond weight workouts, Robins did a lot of running, cycling and kayaking up at the lake this summer.

He said it wasn’t difficult to stay on course, even during the lockdown.

“I never had any wavering in my motivation at all,” Robins said. “I’ve always been an extremely motivated kid and the excitement and just the thought of it kept me going. I’m never going to stray from that: This is something I’ve wanted my whole life.”

Robins began heading into Winnipeg in May to train on the ice at the Rink Hockey Academy, where he spent his major bantam and minor midget seasons. 

He was there five days a week skating with a group of WHL, NHL and other pro players, calling the competition “next level.”

“I can’t tell you how fortunate I am with the setup I have here,” Robins said. “I billet with the owners of the Rink so I’m with them during the summers. They’re kind enough to let me stay there and do my training. I feel like I have a good head start on a lot of not just people my age but people in the hockey world because I’ve been skating for the past four or five months. I’m so fortunate with the connections I have in Winnipeg and the great people as well.”

Later this week and next week will busy for him.

He heads into Winnipeg on Sunday night to skate and train on Monday and then plans to return home next Tuesday and Wednesday to spend the draft with his family. After it’s all over, he’ll drive back to Winnipeg on Thursday for more training.

Robins said his excitement is finally starting to mount.

“It’s kind of crazy to think about that,” Robins said.

“I was talking to my parents this morning and we were trying to come up with a draft plan because it’s on a Tuesday and Wednesday, which is a little bit weird. We orchestrated a plan for what I’m going to be doing. I’m extremely excited, don’t get me wrong but I feel like it hasn’t really hit me yet that it’s seven days away. Later on in the week I’ll start feeling even more excited than I already am.

“I’m just so excited to share that moment with my family.”

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

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