(Dallas) This is the story of a young boy who dreamed of hockey, like many other young boys. But his story is different: it begins somewhere in California, very warm, with a father of Scottish origins from Michigan and a mother from the Philippines.
At family dinners, there were often muted puck sounds, because Grandpa was a Kings fan. The boy too, to the point of wanting to put on skates, often, all the time. The boy dreamed of hockey, his younger brother too, but in this corner of California, arenas were rather rare.
So, at the age of 10, the boy and the rest of the family hit the road to Michigan. Why ? For hockey.
The boy’s name is Jason Robertson, and even today he feels like he’s dreaming. With the difference that the dream is there, tangible, in front of him, every day. It is the same passion that inhabits him: when we arrived in the stands of the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday morning, Robertson was the first on the ice. Then, at the end of practice, he was the last to go.
PHOTO DAVID ZALUBOWSKI, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Jason Robertson
He always wanted to be on ice, anywhere, anytime. Now he is on the ice every day. The difference is that the ice is now National League ice.
“He’s like that,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. First in, last out. He’s just a guy who loves hockey… There are guys who come to the arena and can’t wait to leave, but he’s not one of them. »
DeBoer then responded very quickly when asked if his young forward has the potential of a 50-goal player. “Yes… I think he is capable of scoring 50 goals in this league,” he answered without ever hesitating.
The dream continues. At only 23 years old, Robertson remains a fairly well-kept secret in this league. He doesn’t shine like the McDavids and Crosbys of this world yet, but it won’t be long.
Because this young man, second round choice of the Stars in 2017, already has 24 goals on the clock, and it is not far-fetched to imagine him one day with the Maurice-Richard trophy in his hands.
“There is no secret to my game because the whole team is playing really well, he humbly replied Friday morning in the Stars locker room. The whole team is growing at the same time. Everyone is more productive than last year. »
This modesty undoubtedly comes from his family. Of his parents who, by his own admission, have chained the sacrifices to allow him to live his dream on the ice.
My parents made huge sacrifices to make this happen. Now they have two boys in the NHL, so that’s impressive.
Jason Robertson
The other Robertson boy is named Nicholas, and he’s a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He too was able to live his dream thanks to parents who did everything possible to achieve this goal.
PHOTO KIM KLEMENT, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Nicholas Robertson
“My parents were able to find us rinks in California, add the Stars player, but eventually we had to move to Michigan. For hockey. We then moved to Toronto, and I was drafted by Kingston into the Ontario Junior Hockey League. »
The Robertson parents have since moved back to Los Angeles. Nowadays, Jason Robertson has the smile of someone to whom life has given many gifts, including that of being able to play hockey.
In this holiday season, the young man will receive the most beautiful gift on Saturday, in Dallas. “I will have the chance to see my parents, they will come to visit me here”, he explained.
We take this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas to all those who continue to dream.