"It's definitely something kind of cool and special," Robertson said of the timing of the event. "I'm just trying to be a good idol. I know a lot of people come up to me and it's great. It's something, I've tried to present myself as a great professional on the ice and off the ice. If I can be a role model for those kids, it's definitely exciting and I'll embrace that."
Robertson has family on his mother's side from the Philippines and said it's unfortunate that his mother won't be able to attend Tuesday. But the entire family is expected to be at an event in Los Angeles later in the season. Either way, he said the chance to be a role model is important.
Of course, that's easier to do when you're one of the hottest scorers in the NHL. Robertson has five goals and four assists in his past three games, and that's why he was named the league's First Star of the Week.
So what is Robertson doing on the ice to be successful?
"He's kind of like a little rattlesnake out there," Stars center Tyler Seguin said. "He just moves around and knows where to go, and then he strikes. He doesn't need much room to make an offensive play, and he's consistent with it and he's great at it."
Former Stars coach Rick Bowness is on the Winnipeg bench tonight, and he said he's been impressed with Robertson's ability to handle the pro pressure, and with the ability of the top three (along with Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski) to continue their chemistry.
"He's got great vision, he has poise and confidence with the puck, and that goes hand in hand," Bowness said. "The line is a perfect combination of speed and power with Roope and then you've got the other two guys who are pretty smart and know how to use the ice and read off of each other."
Robertson credited his linemates with helping him get the stats that resulted in the First Star, and he added that teammate Jamie Benn could have just as easily received the award.
"It's pretty neat, but a lot of players had very good productivity," Robertson said. "Everyone had a lot of success together."
That said, Robertson is dealing with a lot more media attention in Canada, and that could be a distraction. Head coach Pete DeBoer said he's not too worried about the 23-year-old.
"If you know Jason Robertson, his personality isn't receptible to distractions bothering him," DeBoer said. "I mean, what bigger distraction is there than missing the entire training camp, and look how that's bothered him."
Robertson will take the ceremonial faceoff to celebrate Filipino Heritage Night on Tuesday.
Key Numbers
.586
Since returning as a head coach with Dallas in 2019, Rick Bowness has a .586 points percentage (96-65-26). In his previous head coaching run from 1998-2004, he had a .318 mark.
51
In 44 career games against the Jets, Stars center Tyler Seguin has 51 points (28 goals, 23 assists).
2.25
The Stars rank second in the NHL in goals against average at 2.25. Winnipeg ranks fourth at 2.45.
He said it
"I thought Edmonton's goaltender touched the puck too much on our forecheck and Hellebuyck's one of the best in the league, so puck placement, setting up our forecheck, making sure he's not breaking them out as much as he normally does."
-Stars coach Pete DeBoer on one of the things the team is focusing on after three straight wins by a combined score of 18-6.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Seguin-Gurianov
Benn-Johnston-Dellandrea
Faksa-Glendening-Kiviranta
Heiskanen-Miller
Suter-Lundkvist
Lindell-Hakanpaa
Wedgewood
Murray
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
