Robak sees Florida in his future
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/08/2013 (4630 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Colby Robak has never been more excited for a hockey season than the one coming up.
After completing his three-year entry-level contract last season, the 23-year-old former Brandon Wheat King signed a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers in the spring. The first year is a two-way contract, but the second is a one-way deal.
Robak and his agent were excited about the contract as they believe it shows the Panthers have a lot of faith in him, and the Gilbert Plains native doesn’t want to let them down.
“It gave me a great opportunity to show them that I want to be there this year and I certainly want to be there full time next year,” he said. “I’m hoping that whatever opportunity they give me, I’ll take advantage of it and show them I want to be there full time.”
Robak, who was a second-round pick of the Panthers in the 2008 NHL draft, is coming off of a disappointing season. Last year, he split his time between the Panthers and the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage. He played in 63 games with the Rampage, netting five goals and 23 points. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound defenceman also posted a plus/minus of -23 as San Antonio struggled to a 29-38-9 record.
He was called up to the Panthers and made his season debut in February. He played 16 games in the NHL, averaging about 16 minutes of ice time, and recorded one assist and 17 penalty minutes with the big-league club.
Robak, who was in Brandon this week to instruct at the Wheat Kings Hockey School, admitted last season started slowly and he didn’t get the ball rolling, but he’s determined to make sure that won’t happen this year.
He’s been busy all summer training and working out in the gym and he has put on 20 pounds. That, and his play last year, has Robak believing he’s right on the cusp of becoming a regular in the Panthers’ lineup.
“Being up there last year, they were happy with the way I played,” he said. “One of the things I’ve had to work on is being consistent. That’s the biggest thing. I’m going in there to show them that I can play the way I can night in and night out and show them I want to be there full time.”
With only a few weeks left until training camp begins, Robak plans to relax and enjoy the rest of summer, while staying in shape. Although he plans to let loose a little bit, he’s also driven to make his NHL dream become a reality and he’s anxious to hit the ice again in the Sunshine State.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “This is the most exciting year yet. I’m very excited for it.”
» cjaster@brandonsun.com