Robertson raises funds for JR's Heroes and military families

Jason Robertson's family is at the center of almost everything he does.

His mother, Mercedes, is from the Philippines, which puts him in the middle of celebrations like Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the NHL. His dad, Hugh, has been a driving force in creating a charitable lifestyle for the Robertson family, which sheds light onto why Jason is the Stars' nominee for the King Clancy Award, an honor given to the NHL player who best exemplifies a positive influence in the community.

It's the second straight season Robertson has been the Stars' nominee, and it's reflective of just how much he does to help in so many ways.

"Jason has shown exceptional commitment to community outreach and service since his rookie season," said Marty Turco, the President of the Dallas Stars Foundation, and a driving force for community outreach when he was a player. "He's always looking for opportunities to create more meaningful and fun experiences for children and families in the local area, and he continues to expand the size and scope of his impact. It's always such a pleasure to work with a player who is so invested in helping others."

Robertson credits his family for infusing the characteristic in him. In fact, both Hugh and Mercedes play a big role in how Jason reaches out to both the local Dallas community and the Asian community throughout the league.

"My dad and my mom are obviously huge influences in this," Jason said. "I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but they knew I was focusing on hockey, so they kind of got ideas working with the Dallas Stars and the hospitals, and we have created our plans from that."

Hugh Robertson said Jason has been inspired by many positive influences in finding a path to charity. When Jason played in Kingston, his billet family, Tim and Tammy Bramham, worked with the military and helped children of military families. Hugh said that's been the driving force behind JRs Heroes, where Robertson hosts the children and families of active military personnel who are currently deployed or have lost a loved one. Robertson hosts the family for a Stars game and meets with them afterward.

"Jason's billet family worked with military children in Kingston, and he really started to understand the challenges for these kids," Hugh Robertson said. "So, when we set this up in Dallas, Jason said these kids are junior heroes, they are truly patriots. They're making sacrifices so that their parents can serve our country."

It's a big moment for both the family and for Robertson, and although the pandemic slowed down these meetings in the past, this year Robertson has really been able to shine with more in-person contact.

"He's so good at face-to-face meetings," said Chelsea Livingston, Executive Director of the Dallas Stars Foundation. "He gets down to the kids' level and looks them in the eye and talks directly to them. He just really helps make them feel special."

Robertson said he feels special too.

"It's starting to open more, and I like that," Robertson said of the lifting of COVID restrictions. "You want to be able to meet the people and get to know them. That's the best part. So, I definitely have enjoyed it more this year."

Robertson was the team's King Clancy nominee last season, as well. Each team nominates a player, and the league selects a winner. P.K. Subban won it with the Devils last season.

As part of JR's Heroes, Robertson partnered with United Heroes League and invited local military families with children ages 8-14 who currently play hockey to an on-ice clinic. The day at American Airlines Center featured drills and on-ice lessons for 41 skaters. Each participant received a Stars "21" jersey, as well as tickets to a game. In addition to his work with military families, Robertson also held a toy drive for Children's Health Hospital in which more than 1,000 toys were distributed.

"It's special just to be able to help them," Robertson said. "They appreciate it so much."

Hugh Robertson was able to attend some of the visits to the hospital and said one was particularly touching to witness. Jason had set a new scoring record for the Stars on the road, and when he returned, they acknowledged the accomplishment at American Airlines Center and the crowd joined in a huge cheer of "Robo, Robo, Robo." Then, a few days later, Hugh Robertson said Jason was playing video games at the hospital and visiting children who couldn't leave their room.

One girl drew a picture of herself and Jason and then posed for pictures with him when he was presenting prizes for the games.

"It was so sweet," Hugh Robertson said. "I was the last one to leave the room and the little girl looked to her mom and said that was the greatest day of her life. As a parent, when you're listening to 18,000 people shout 'Robo, Robo,' it's chilling, but what that girl said, to me it dwarfed what 18,000 people were yelling."

Robertson takes his job as a role model seriously, whether it's in charitable initiatives or as a representative of the Asian and Pacific Islanders community.

"It's pretty unique," he said. "I know not a lot of NHL players look like I do, so it is important to be a good role model."

Robertson is one of just a handful of players who are of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage. His brother Nick plays for Toronto, and he said he and his siblings have been able to share their heritage in different ways.

"There are not many Asian-American, Pacific Islander representatives in the NHL, so it's a big responsibility," he said. "This month is big, but it's always a responsibility to be a good role model. I know for the kids looking up every day of every year, it's a big responsibility to be a good person, on and off the ice, and be a good professional."

To celebrate his nomination for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, Robertson is giving fans a chance to win a trip to meet him at a game during the 2024 season. Donations are also being collected for the Dallas Stars Foundation and JR's Heroes. Please click here for more information on this VIP experience and ways to support his cause.

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