Bruins lock up Robinson

August 4, 2007

By Kevin Mitchell

Vernon Morning Star

At 17, David Robinson is a gem on the hockey commodity market. His shares don’t trade on the TSE, but his genes are attractive, and the Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League have won his rights, signing him to a standard educational agreement.

Bruins’ GM Darrell May his high on the punishing right-winger who combined with twins Connor and Kellen Jones of Trail to jumpstart the Vernon Vipers in last season’s B.C. Hockey League playoffs.

"I think it was a tough decision for him.” May told Black Press Sports. “He played with Vernon in the playoffs last year and did really well and they were pushing hard to get him as a local kid. I think his uncle played in the WHL for New Westminster (Wayne Dye) and went on to a pro career, so there's a background there. He decided it was a better route."

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Robinson racked up 23 goals, 61 points and 119 penalty minutes in 40 games with the Major Midget Okanagan Rockets in Kelowna last season.

The VSS Hockey Academy student then joined the Vipers for the post-season, adding two goals and six points on a dynamic line with the Jones twins. That unit boosted the Vipers to an upset of the pennant-winning Penticton Vees in the Interior Conference final series.

“I’m glad Vernon gave me a chance,” said Robinson. “I was nervous at first, but once things started to roll with the Jones’s, I felt more confident. This decision was the toughest I’ve ever had to make. Vernon has an unbelievable organization and so does Chilliwack.

“I’m really in a win-win situation. If I get cut (by the Bruins, who drafted him two years ago), I would come back here if Vernon would take me back.”

May believes Robinson will be a solid player for the Bruins, who welcome back scoring sensations Mark Santorelli and Oscar Moller this coming season.

"He liked what we had to offer. He's a 1990, which we don't have a lot of. It's a good opportunity for him. He had a great year last year. He brings some offence and some grit and he plays the way we like our players to play. We think he's going to be a good fit. He's going to come in and battle hard for icetime at training camp."

Robinson is working out at Fitness West and joining buddies on a skating machine in Kelowna in preparation for camp later this month.

“I’ll hopefully have a good camp and battle for a spot. I know ice time will be limited for a while and hopefully I can work my way up the depth chart.”

Added May: "We're going to make sure we get our young guys playing and developing because that's a big part of our future. He showed really good offensive upside in midget last year, something we're always looking for. And just about every time there was a whistle he was either in the back of the net or on top of the goalie... always in the middle of it. I think the fans will enjoy that if he can bring that to our level."