Maple Leafs Fans: Don’t Quit on Nick Robertson, He’s a Fighter

In a recent post, a reader commented on Nick Robertson’s tough position with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Robertson might or might not make this season’s roster. In fact, he might not make the Maple Leafs’ roster as a regular ever.

The reader then noted that the Dallas Stars got Jason Robertson – the successful older brother to Nick – calling him the “big Robertson,” while (it seemed to me) complaining that “we got the little one.”

So far, it’s true. Nick Robertson is the little brother. And he hasn’t yet been able to translate his scoring prowess in the minors into the NHL. Those are facts.

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The Purpose of This Post Is to Offer Insight into Nick Robertson

But there are other facts. In this post, I’ll take a look at why Robertson is the “little’ brother. But more important, I want to make the point that the Robertson the Maple Leafs (we) have is a fighter. He’s determined and he’s working hard to make this roster; and, if he doesn’t, it won’t be for lack of trying.

Already Robertson also has sacrificed a lot working to earn the right to play. He works on his game – day after day. He is simply not going to quit or take a day off. He wants this chance.

In fact, he’s so determined that, during the height of COVID-19, instead of heading home he stayed for a year in Toronto by himself working on his game and honing his craft. He did not even go home for American Thanksgiving – his family’s special day.

Maple Leafs’ Fans, If You Don’t Think Robertson Has Earned His Chance, Read Chris Johnston’s Article

In November 2020, just before American Thanksgiving, Chris Johnston wrote a beautiful article for Sportsnet. You can read it here.

It’s the story of Robertson and his family and why Thanksgiving is so important for them as a family.

Circling around to the reader’s lament, why is big brother Jason 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds and younger brother Nick is only 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds? The answer is that Nick was born three months premature. He’s a “miracle baby” who was born on 9/11 (September 11, 2001) – the day terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center.

Robertson would have died at birth except there was one hope – it was a “do-or-die shot” where doctors injected oxygen straight into young Nick’s brain and lungs. He survived.

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Robertson Was Tiny, But Even then He Was a Fighter

Our Robertson was tiny at birth, but even then he was a fighter. He stayed in the hospital and wasn’t able to be taken home until American Thanksgiving Day (which is late in November).

As Hugh Robertson – Nick’s dad – said in Johnston’s article, Thanksgiving is “the most important day of the year for us. We have a whole new take on Thanksgiving. He (Nick) survived.”

Sure brother Jason, who was not born three months premature, is half a foot taller than his brother and a couple of Thanksgiving turkeys heavier; and, like his brother Nick he too is probably a fighter. It’s likely a family thing.

But our Nick is such a huge fighter that I would invite Maple Leafs’ fans to never give up on him as a player.

Robertson Deserves a Chance, But Not a Gift

Here’s the thing for me about Nick Robertson. I can’t help but admire his dedication and the depth of his determination. If I had one gift to bestow on anyone this season, I would give Nick the best chance he could have to make this team. In my book his hard work and determination should be rewarded.  

No gifts; and, no gimmees. For Robertson not to earn his place would ruin this opportunity. But a season without a major injury seems fair. That’s what I want for our Robertson.

Sure we – Maple Leafs’ fans and the Maple Leafs’ as an organization – got the little Robertson, but we also got the Robertson that’s big of heart. I for one can live with that.

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