The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson was born on one of the most infamous days in North American history. It was the day that terrorists attacked the United States by flying airplanes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.
Robertson was born – Sept. 11, 2001 – is now widely known a “9-11.” It was the day terrorists’ deadly attacks destroyed New York City’s World Trade Towers and thousands of people lost their lives. That one day changed all of our lives – especially if you lived in the United States.
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Very Few People Will Forget Robertson’s Birthday, But Not Because It’s His Birthday
Obviously, if you’re old enough to remember – you remember. The day of Robertson’s birth is a day that anyone who was old enough to be aware simply can’t be forgotten. It was one of those “Do you remember where you were days?” The Robertson family will remember where they were on that day for a number or reasons.
Their son Nick, who was born almost three months premature, struggled for his life and won. Perhaps what makes him the battler he is today. He pushes and pushes – sometimes to a fault as the video below notes.
Robertson, who was born on the morning of September 11, 2001, in Arcadia, California, was born too soon. And, his lungs were undeveloped. He had to be able to get oxygen to his brain, but it wasn’t happening. Doctors gave Robertson three shots – still nothing was working.
According to family, the fourth shot was life or death – it would either save him or it would kill him. Fortunately, it worked.
Fast-Forward Twenty Years to the Maple Leafs Development Camp
As the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran reports, Robertson is the Leafs’ top prospect and his development camp is underway at the Ford Performance Centre. Last season was a tough one for him. After such great seasons with the Peterborough Petes, he only could score five goals in 21 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. He also scored a sigle assist in six games with the Maple Leafs.
That’s because he was injured. He suffered a knee injury in January and then a concussion late into the season. Both cost him the chance to join the Maple Leafs during the playoffs. The 20-year-old (today) Robertson is trying to make an impression on the Maple Leafs’ player development group and organizational coaches. (from “Maple Leafs rookie Nick Robertson was born on 9/11. Birthdays have never been the same,” Kevin McGran, Toronto Star, 10/09/21).
The Jury’s Out About Robertson Making the Maple Leafs’ Roster
For the first time in almost two years, Robertson was able to return home to Michigan this summer. He noted that his summer “was fantastic. I was training down in Michigan with my brother (Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson) and it was just good mentally just to be home and be with my family again. It’s been a long time, more than a year.”
Robertson is scheduled to head to Traverse City, Michigan, to be part of the group of Maple Leafs’ players who’ll play four other teams in a rookie tournament from September 16 to 20. Where he goes from there, the jury’s still out.
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