Robertson wins national Sportsman of the Year Award
Maple Leafs prospect’s goal-scoring pace this past season was highest in the Canadian Hockey League since the 1992-93 season
Peterborough Petes forward Nick Robertson was named the 2019-20 recipient of the Canadian Hockey League’s Sportsman of the Year Award presented by Cavendish Farms on Thursday.
The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect led the entire CHL with 55 goals in just 46 games played while adding 31 assists along with 40 penalty minutes.
“I want to thank the CHL for awarding me the most sportsmanlike player of the year,” Robertson stated.
“I just want to thank my organization the Peterborough Petes as well as the GM, Mike Oke, head coach Rob Wilson and my teammates. And finally I’d like to thank the fans in Peterborough for all of their support and making it an electrifying building every night. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy.”
The 18-year-old from Northville, Mich., finished 10th in Ontario Hockey League scoring during his third season in the league after being chosen by the Leafs in the second round of the 2019 NHL draft and signing his entry-level contract in September.
Robertson was held without a goal just nine times over the course of the season and went on a 14-game goal-scoring streak from Jan. 9 to Feb. 8 upon his return from the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship where he played for Team USA.
His 1.20 goals-per-game pace is the highest the CHL has seen since René Corbet of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Pat Peake of the Detroit Junior Red Wings back in 1992-93 for players with more than 20 goals scored and over 30 games played to their credit in a single season. The ’92-93 campaign is also the last time a Petes player reached the 50goal milestone.
“Nick set a positive example for his fellow teammates, opponents, fans and the Peterborough community, both on and off the ice. We look forward to watching Nick continue his hockey career in the near future,” stated Cavendish Farms in a CHL press release.
Robertson is the first member of the Petes to win the national award since presentation began in 1990 following previous team nominees Ryan Spooner (2010) and Mike Ricci (1990).
This is the second straight season a Robertson has been recognized on the national stage, with Nick following in the footsteps of older brother Jason who led the CHL in scoring with 117 points as a member of the Niagara IceDogs one year ago.
Finalists for the award were 2020 NHL draft prospect Seth Jarvis of the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks and Calgary Flames prospect Jakob Pelletier of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Moncton Wildcats.