Fight Guy
08-21-2007, 03:30 PM
Robinson to attend Warriors' camp
Matthew Gourlie, Saskatchewan News Network; Moose Jaw Times-Herald
Published: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
MOOSE JAW -- The one Moose Jaw Warrior who isn't coming to training camp to fight for a job will be the happiest to be there.
Garrett Robinson will arrive in Moose Jaw on Wednesday for his fifth Warriors' training camp. This one will be vastly different than any of the others.
Robinson suffered a serious head injury after being in a two-vehicle accident Oct. 22 in the early morning hours after a Warriors road trip. He came out of a coma and after months of rehab walked onto the Civic Centre ice Feb. 23.
Robinson won't be able to take part in any of the scrimmages at camp, but will take part in the practice sessions and will likely take part as a shooter in the goaltender sessions as well.
"As much as we can incorporate him, the better, but at the end of the day we have to keep him in that safe zone," said Warriors general manager Chad Lang. "He's a motivated kid and he's pretty determined that he can play and still wants to play and I just told his parents that we'll support him in that. We need to create a situation for him that keeps his spirits up and keeps him motivated.
"He's going to be no different than any player that suffers any concussion injury. We're going to allow him to skate when the players are doing their drills."
In addition to extensive rehabilitation, Robinson has been skating twice a week in Vancouver with his brother Matt -- a Regina Pats alumnus who spent last season with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. While Garrett has been getting stronger on his skates, he still hasn't been cleared for contact.
"There's no doubt he's not at the level he was," said Lang. "But I think his skating is fine, from all indications. Where (the injury) comes into play is how quick he can think out there on the ice.
"It's still a matter of how quick he can anticipate and think the game and move the puck."
While Lang feels that being back with his teammates and in a hockey environment will be good for Robinson, he also feels that it will be good for the Warriors team to have the 19-year-old from Surrey, B.C., around as well.
"For those players that were a part of our hockey club last year I think it will be very motivating for them to see how much Garrett has progressed," said Lang. "It is also motivating in that here's a kid who still has his dream of being a hockey player and he's doing everything that he can."
A hard-working team player, Robinson set a good example during his first three seasons with the club and now Lang feels he can still set a great example for the current team not to take their careers for granted, but to enjoy it and make the most of it.
"I hope deep down that rubs off on our players and they realize how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to play in the Western Hockey League to play here in Moose Jaw in front of great fans," said Lang.
"I think having him around will bring them back to reality. It is an honour and it is a privilege to play in the Western Hockey League."
As unlikely as it is that Robinson will ever play in the WHL again, he has beaten incredible odds before.
"When you look back six months it's still a pretty good story, given that the kid was basically given 48 hours to live," said Lang.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
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Great to hear! :clap:
Matthew Gourlie, Saskatchewan News Network; Moose Jaw Times-Herald
Published: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
MOOSE JAW -- The one Moose Jaw Warrior who isn't coming to training camp to fight for a job will be the happiest to be there.
Garrett Robinson will arrive in Moose Jaw on Wednesday for his fifth Warriors' training camp. This one will be vastly different than any of the others.
Robinson suffered a serious head injury after being in a two-vehicle accident Oct. 22 in the early morning hours after a Warriors road trip. He came out of a coma and after months of rehab walked onto the Civic Centre ice Feb. 23.
Robinson won't be able to take part in any of the scrimmages at camp, but will take part in the practice sessions and will likely take part as a shooter in the goaltender sessions as well.
"As much as we can incorporate him, the better, but at the end of the day we have to keep him in that safe zone," said Warriors general manager Chad Lang. "He's a motivated kid and he's pretty determined that he can play and still wants to play and I just told his parents that we'll support him in that. We need to create a situation for him that keeps his spirits up and keeps him motivated.
"He's going to be no different than any player that suffers any concussion injury. We're going to allow him to skate when the players are doing their drills."
In addition to extensive rehabilitation, Robinson has been skating twice a week in Vancouver with his brother Matt -- a Regina Pats alumnus who spent last season with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. While Garrett has been getting stronger on his skates, he still hasn't been cleared for contact.
"There's no doubt he's not at the level he was," said Lang. "But I think his skating is fine, from all indications. Where (the injury) comes into play is how quick he can think out there on the ice.
"It's still a matter of how quick he can anticipate and think the game and move the puck."
While Lang feels that being back with his teammates and in a hockey environment will be good for Robinson, he also feels that it will be good for the Warriors team to have the 19-year-old from Surrey, B.C., around as well.
"For those players that were a part of our hockey club last year I think it will be very motivating for them to see how much Garrett has progressed," said Lang. "It is also motivating in that here's a kid who still has his dream of being a hockey player and he's doing everything that he can."
A hard-working team player, Robinson set a good example during his first three seasons with the club and now Lang feels he can still set a great example for the current team not to take their careers for granted, but to enjoy it and make the most of it.
"I hope deep down that rubs off on our players and they realize how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to play in the Western Hockey League to play here in Moose Jaw in front of great fans," said Lang.
"I think having him around will bring them back to reality. It is an honour and it is a privilege to play in the Western Hockey League."
As unlikely as it is that Robinson will ever play in the WHL again, he has beaten incredible odds before.
"When you look back six months it's still a pretty good story, given that the kid was basically given 48 hours to live," said Lang.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
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Great to hear! :clap: