The end-of-season North American rankings in the NHL’s Central Scouting report was released earlier this week. Tristen Robins, who played the majority of his minor hockey in Brandon, ended up being listed as the 86th overall prospect among North American skaters. It should be noted that in the mid-term rankings Robins had been listed 134th among North American skaters. A strong 2nd half to his WHL season helped him move up in the rankings.
Prior to the season coming to an abrupt end, the speedy 18 year old centreman registered 73 points in 62 games with the Saskatoon Blades. Robins credits a number of factors for his increased point production in 2019/20 including additional ice time and the work he put in over the summer months. “Losing our top player Kirby Dach gave me more of a key role on the team and I thrived in that position having nearly two points per game in the second half. My biggest improvements would be my board play, one on one play, one on one battles, and my skating. And this improved because of my intense training programs that I had done in the summer. I really worked hard on my metal side of the game to bring the right mindset and intensity for consistent game play day in and day out. Not letting my highs get to high and my lows too low.
Robins, who lists the Pittsburgh Penguins as his favorite team and Sidney Crosby as his favorite player, obviously would love to hear his name called at this year’s draft. “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to not only have my name called at the draft, but for whoever believes in my ability to eventually help lead the team to a Stanley cup” said Robins. “Looking back to the western league draft and how much it meant to me having my name called back then only gave me a slight glimpse of what it would be like to be called in the NHL draft”
“Even if my name isn’t called, I will be going to a camp with a mindset to prove everyone wrong and outshine anyone who has been taken higher than me. The draft is amazing, but it is only to me seen as the next steps to my professional career, as I know it is a mountain of work Ahead of me to get to my goal of playing in the NHL, to which I truly look forward to.”
For many players their draft year can add a significant amount of stress and pressure throughout the course of a season. “I didn’t put any more pressure on myself, I was super excited for the challenge and new it was going to be a big year personally as well as a big year for the team. I have really great family support and have been raised to not worry about the future and to stay In the present time and to live and play in the moment. The future will take care of itself as long as I take care of business during the present. I only worry about things that are in my control, that is my attitude and work ethic.” said Robins.
When asked what he feels he needs to work on to take his game to the next level Robins told bdnmb.ca “I feel that I need to work on rounding out my defensive zone play by also improving my stick position. Knowing that I can be a game changer I want to be more consistent at being the driver on my line.”
The draft was originally slated to take place in Montreal (June 26-27) and has since been postponed with the location, timing and format for the Draft to be confirmed. While Robins waits to hear whether or not his name will be called, he will be keeping himself busy this off-season preparing for his future. “I do one on one on ice skill training at the Rink facility in Winnipeg with Seth Jarvis working on everything from shooting, stick handling, skating, and edge work. As well as being trained personally by the trainers of testify performance upstairs. As soon as I am allowed, I will be on the ice 4-5 times a week and training 5-6 days a week. I am currently training everyday until I am allowed to go into Winnipeg.”
