Robertson relishes gold-medal memories

Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Matthew Robertson didn’t arrive at training camp on Monday sporting his gold medal from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, though, few would have begrudged him if he had.

Robertson, 17, won the international tournament with Team Canada earlier this month at Rogers Place, which hosted the showpiece event for players eligible in the 2019 NHL Draft.

“The experience was indescribable,” Robertson said. “Playing in front of friends and family and then winning gold, that’s something I’ll remember for a lifetime. It was an unforgettable experience.”

Robertson was the lone Oil Kings player on Team Canada. He finished the tournament with two goals and two assists in five games. Canada defeated Sweden 6-2 in the final after recording a controversial win over Team USA in the semifinal a night earlier.

Despite smaller crowds throughout the event, the final sold out the lower bowl at Rogers Place with over 8,500 fans in attendance.

“It was crazy,” Robertson said. “The crowd was really loud, the support was great and it was a fast-paced game. And we ended up winning. That was something that was unforgettable.”

Robertson is projected as a firstor second-round selection in the June draft. He’s entering his second full season with the Oil Kings, after scoring seven goals and collecting 24 points last year.

Playing in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup tourney should give him a head start heading into training camp.

“It should help a lot,” he said. “Just coming into camp and feeling good on the ice, comfortable on my blades, and feeling good with the puck really helps.”

ROOKIES BATTLING FOR SPOTS

Several players from the Oil Kings’ two-day rookie camp were invited to main camp to stock three teams for scrimmages.

A year ago, Logan Dowhaniuk was just along for the ride, ineligible to play with the Oil Kings on a full-time basis. This season, he’s looking to grab a roster spot.

“I think I’m a lot more confident this year because I was at training camp last year,” Dowhaniuk said. “Obviously, it’s a little different because I’m trying to make the team this year and I’m hoping I can do that.”

Dowhaniuk, 16, of Sherwood Park, was selected by the Oil Kings in the second round (26th overall) of the 2017 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. He played two exhibition games with the Oil Kings last season and was called up to play four games through the regular season, failing to register a point.

He played last season with the OHA Edmonton Midget Prep team, scoring seven goals and adding 10 assists in 36 games.

“It was nice to get a chance to play a few games with the Oil Kings last year and get accustomed to the speed,” Dowhaniuk said. “It’s a lot faster up here so it helped a lot.”

LOOKING TO REBOUND

Like most of his teammates, defenceman Ethan Cap feels he underperformed last year.

The North Vancouver, B.C., product had five goals and 12 points in 72 games, an improvement of just two points over his rookie season in 2016-2017.

“I’d like to have a bounce-back year,” Cap said. “Last year, I think it was disappointing for a lot of guys, myself included. It was just an up and down year for everyone.”

The Oil Kings finished last in the WHL standings for the first time in modern franchise history. They return this year with a new GM and new coaching staff.

They also return with a renewed sense of optimism, with players like Cap returning a year older, stronger and wiser.

“I feel bigger and stronger and way more confident on the ice,” Cap said.