Rivermen grad gets NCAA deal
Onto the next level he will go.
Espanola Rivermen defenceman Daniel Robertson has committed to play for the Fitchburg State University Falcons effective the upcoming 2014-2015 season.
The 6-foot-5, 200 pound Robertson joined the Rivermen midway through the 2013-2014 campaign and produced 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points in 34 regular-season games.
The towering defender then added 7 assists in 8 playoff games for the Rivermen, who have since departed the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League for the new Canadian International Hockey League.
Robertson paid tribute to Rivermen director of operations Tim Clayden, coach Tom McCarthy and the Espanola organization for assisting in his development in moving up to Fitchburg State, which plays in the Division 3, Massachussets Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA.)
“Playing in Espanola for the Rivermen has been a great experience,” related Robertson. “I owe a big part of this opportunity to Tim and Tom for bringing me to Espanola and giving me a great place to grow as a player and a person. Without their help and guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am headed now.”
Robertson had special words for McCarthy.
“Tom has been more than a coach to me, which has opened my eyes to a new horizon both in life and hockey. Tom is a great coach and a great mentor and has presented me with many life skills that I have applied now to both hockey and my personal life.”
McCarthy, meawhile, said he is “genuinely happy for Danny,” adding that Robertson “exemplifies the kind of player that we want in Espanola each year, one that gives one hundred per cent on the ice in games and in practices and one that puts the same effort off the ice in working within our community and the various area service groups.”
Robertson’s dad, Rick Robertson, saluted the Rivermen organization.
“Daniel is fortunate to have been able to play with the Espanola Rivermen in a true junior hockey program, one that puts their players first with Tim Clayden and coach Tom McCarthy. There is no doubt that having the opportunity to play with such a classy, well-run organization with outstanding team personnel has given Daniel the opportunity to further his hockey career and given him the opportunity to play in the NCAA, a life-long dream of his. We can’t thank the Rivermen enough.”
Congrats to Daniel on his committment to Fitchburg university! Congrats as well to the Rivermen organization for the great work they have done to help their players pursue their hockey dreams after junior hockey. By my count , they now have five players who are either playing CIS or College hockey in the US this fall. That is a pretty good stat given they only have six players who are moving on next season. I would also go as far as saying that they have helped six players secure spots as the committment of Duane Wainman to Lindenwood college is, with all due respect to the Trappers organization, the fruit of the work of the Rivermen. I dont want to say I told you so……but I told you so……when it comes to helping players pursue their post junior hockey career , there can be no argument that the Espanola team is second to none.
Congratulations to Dan, his hard work paid off and he deserves all the rewards he is getting.
Kudos to the Rivermen organization for working so diligently to help their players move forward to the next step in their careers after jr hockey. They have worked hard to get Janke, Bean, Dubchak, Gilmartin, Edwards and now Robertson to the next level of their careers. Thats a track record to be proud of!!
Thanks for the update Puckman, I stand corrected, ALL of the 1993 birthyear Rivermen have secured a post junior committment.
Yes and Connor Gilmartin is off to Germany to to play pro next year. Good job to the players and organization.