Special to the news by Tim Hogg
Last season’s leading scorer for the Summerland Steam, Scott Robinson, has committed to the Northern Colorado Bears for 2018/19.
The Bears play ACHA Division II hockey and are coming off back-to-back Big Mountain Conference Championships in 2016/17 and 2017/18. They finished the 2017-18 season with a record of 23W-9L-1-1 record, finishing third in the West Division and 17th nationally.
Their head coach, Kelly Newton, is from the Okanagan and was able to get a pretty good idea of what Robinson has to offer over the last couple of seasons.
“Scott is a huge addition for this program,” said Newton.“His ability to play forward or defence gives us a lot of options, both in 5v5 and specialty situations such as the power play and 4v4. I watched Scott play multiple times this season, he is a power forward that can bury the puck when he has the opportunity.”
Robinson, a veteran of over 200 KIJHL games including regular season and playoffs, takes the next step in both hockey and education with his commitment to Northern Colorado. Last season he scored 24 goals and 61 points during the regular season, leading the Steam to a third-place finish in the Okanagan Division.
In total, Robinson played 214 games in the KIJHL, tallying 51 goals and 75 assists for 126 points during that time. He spent time with the Osoyoos Coyotes and the Sicamous Eagles, but the bulk of his time and success came in the white, red and black of the Summerland Steam over three seasons.
“It’s been fun,” said Robinson “I’d like to say thank you to Coach John Depourcq for the past three seasons. He’s the reason juniors have been so much fun for me.”
The 6′ 7″, 240 pound native of Nottingham, England made the conversion from defender to offensive threat in 2017/18, and it paid off with the best year of his junior hockey career.
“We’re very proud of Robo,” said Depourcq on Robinson’s commitment, “He’s a talented hockey player and a good kid, and we’re happy he’s found an opportunity to continue both his education and hockey career. We, as an organization, wish him all the best as he enters his future with Kelly Newton and the UNC Bears.”
Robinson will join a strong contingent of KIJHL talent who have taken their talents to the ACHA over the years. The ACHA’s Division II Jamestown Jimmies have more than 10 KIJHL alumni on their roster, while others are spread all throughout the ACHA in Division I, II, and III. The University of Northern Colorado is familiar with recruiting from the KIJHL and have boasted many alumni including former Osoyoos Coyotes Captain Colin Chmelka, who was the captain of the UNC Men’s Hockey program last season.
Tim Hogg is the author of Trolley Talk and play-by-play voice of the Summerland Steam.