All along, Chad Robinson knew it was just a case of waiting his turn.
The Red Deer Rebels 18-year-old centre was often the odd man out last season — his first in the Western Hockey League — and appeared in 50 games with the club, scoring two goals and adding four assists in the process.
But the native of Minnedosa, Man., watched and learned and parlayed his patience and detail to attention into a larger role with the club this season.
“You just have to take the positives out of it,” Robinson said Thursday, looking back at his status as a part-time performer. “I was learning every day so you can’t look at it in a negative way. You just have to stay positive.”
Just nine games into the season, Robinson has already matched his rookie total of two goals and four helpers. He’s also on the bright side of the plus/minus category at plus-3.
“After not getting as many opportunities last year, I feel like I’m fitting in a lot better this season,” he said.
Coming off an all-star year, Robinson was selected in the sixth round of the 2008 WHL bantam draft. He was reassigned to the midget AAA Yellowhead Chiefs in his home province and as a 16-year-old scored 16 goals and 39 points in 30 regular-season games and added two goals and a pair of helpers in two playoff outings.
“You have to always know that those (offensive) skills are there. You just have to wait for your opportunity to get a chance to showcase them,” said Robinson, who on Wednesday was a part of the Rebels’ power play for the first time.
“At this level you have to be thinking quicker because everything moves faster.”
Robinson added 10 pounds to his five-foot-11 frame during the summer.
“I worked on increasing my strength. I felt that was an issue last season,” he said. “I’ve really noticed the difference while fighting off checks and shooting the puck.”
Bigger and stronger with a year-plus of major junior experience, Robinson is fully prepared to take up some of the slack created by the loss of 2010-11 top scorers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Andrej Kudrna, Byron Froese and Brett Ferguson.
“We’re missing some key guys from last year and I think this is an opportunity for me to step and help our in that area,” he said. “I also think I can step up my defensive play . . . be more solid in the D-zone and make a good, simple first play.
“We’re going to need contributions from everyone this year but I think we’ll be fine that way.”
Rebels GM/head coach Jesse Wallin said patience has been a virtue for Robinson.
“As a young guy last season it was tough for him to get into the lineup. He was kind of the 13th forward,” said Wallin. “He came in here this year more confident and more experienced with a year under his belt and knowing what to expect. For the first time he’s been given the opportunity to play a bigger role and play with some skilled guys.”
The confidence factor is huge, Wallin noted.
“What I’ve seen in Chad more than anything is that he’s no longer playing to not make a mistake,” said the Rebels bench boss. “He knows he’ll be going out the gate the next shift and that in itself can just kind of get you into a rhythm where you’re not worried and gripping your stick every time you’re on the ice because it might be your last shift.
“Last year that was kind of the boat he was in. He was fighting for ice time and now he’s not just thinking his way through the game, he’s reacting a little more and using some of his assets. He’s got some decent skill and he’s a good skater. I think he’s played real well for us. He continues to gain confidence and he continues to improve.”
The Rebels host the Moose Jaw Warriors tonight at 7:30 p.m.
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com
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