The human behind the hype: Jason Robertson

Jason Robertson grew up understanding the importance of family and quality time. He developed insight into the bond of unity these two ingredients knead together to give rise to. "It was something that was very important, was the family aspect," the young forward remarked. "We just spent time together. We still have that connection."
Pouring the foundation to the development of any relationship requires time, energy, commitment, and attention. So, whether it's your blood family, hockey family or both, we need those components.

For this reason it was of reasonable concern missing training camp due to contract negotiations might interfere with all the newness that was hitting the Stars at the time.
Robertson might have had some catching up to do.
During a pregame interview Stars coach Pete DeBoer was asked about his own experience with the situation, to which he replied, "Yeah, big concern. You always worry about him catching up, new coach, new systems, all those things. But he made me look pretty dumb on that. He didn't need any extra time. I joke with him to this day that he should be calling the players' association. They might eliminate all training camps based on what he's done."

Robertson meshed right away back on the line with Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski, one of the top scoring lines in the league. In just the second game of the season, the Stars home opener against the Predators, Robertson recorded one goal and two assists, which we now know was a precursor to a fiery first half of the season. "You've got three guys who really complement each other," said DeBoer on the trio. "You always wonder, could you do it again? Not only are they doing it again, they're at another level."
Within the first month, Robertson shared fourth in points (9-12--21) and seventh in points per game (1.50) and co-led in game-winning goals (3). And then, in game No. 24 on home ice against the Anaheim Ducks, Robertson lit the lamp three times, powering the Stars to a 5-0 triumph.

Ask any media member and they will tell you it's in Robertson's humble nature to negate praise. When asked about his mindset on all the hype, admiration, and publicity, the playmaker replied, "Show up, be consistent, do my thing, produce offense consistently, be a leader on the team, and those things will follow its way there." Worship wishing or not, the 6-foot 3 forward is a marvel and one who has already made it into the history books.
With an 18-game point streak (21-13--34) and 26 of these in the month of November (15-11--26) during the 2022-23 season, Robertson became the third player in franchise history with 25-plus points in a single month and locked in the second-longest streak (1967-present). He had already been crowned Dallas point streak champ after he and Miro Heiskanen assisted captain Jamie Benn on Nov. 25 during the game against Winnipeg.
Whispers of the wonder couldn't be contained for too long, and news spread as early as Nov. 7, when Robertson was named the First Star of the Week for the week ending Nov. 6. By the end of the month shouts of stardom included First Star of the Week for the weekend ending Nov. 27, Third Star of the Week for the week ending Dec. 4 and NHL's First Star for November.

Your brow might furrow in confusion to find out Robertson hasn't always been making teams, signing contracts, and leading the leaderboard. Curious of the development behind such an athlete, Robertson was petitioned to share advice he would have offered to his younger self, at a time when he might have needed it most. To his teenage self, the 23-yeard-old says, "Trust the people around you, like your family, and work hard."
Robertson recalled being overlooked and cut from rosters. "I wasn't the fastest. I never made a team. I would always have to go try out for a team. When I was 12, I got cut from a team. I didn't play a lot. I got cut from another team and had to try out for a team that wasn't that great because I just needed a team to play."
During this time of uncertainty Robertson learned the value of leaning on your inner circle, especially those who unconditionally cheer you on. "At 12 it's hard because you're 12, you don't know any better so that's why I said you've got to trust the people around you, and that's what I did," he said. "Thankfully, I would say that because of my mom and dad. They really pushed me. That age 12, 13, 14 I would've fallen off because I didn't have that hunger or drive yet. Once I hit 14, 15 and started realizing 'You can do this. You can work hard. You have a goal, and you can go get it.'"
So much so the NHL
nominated Robertson
to join in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, securing him a spot on the roster for the event on Saturday, Feb. 4 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
"You kind of get used to it," coach DeBoer said. "You almost have to sit and think about it after, about how special it is what you're witnessing. It's unbelievable. He's making it look easy. And it's one of the hardest things there is to do, to score in this league, at this level."

With family as a top priority, what wasn't a surprise was how Robertson takes care of his mental and emotional health off the ice. "I communicate a lot. I am still really close with my parents, so whenever something is wrong or I want to talk about something, they are always there. It's very nice to have that."
The strong bond with his support system became even more evident after hearing the way Robertson shared one of his fondest memories with friends and family.
"One summer in 2017 for my 18th birthday we were in LA," he recalled. "We had all of my mom's family come over to the house, we had all sorts of friends who I hadn't seen in a while, a couple of my friends from Michigan flew down for it. We had a hot dog eating contest because it was after the July 4th one where [Joey] Chestnut wins it all. We had all my cousins, and I didn't participate in it because I didn't want to throw up, but my older did it, Michael, and he was intensely into it. He would be just dunking it in water, soaking it, doing all that stuff." Robertson laughed and then jovially exclaimed, "[Michael] completely blew it out of the water! It was a great moment, how everyone came together."
It's great how the Stars are coming together this season. Ty Dellandrea and Wyatt Johnston have been blessed with the guidance of Benn who has played center on their line at times. Consequently, the 19-year-old rookie found himself becoming the youngest player in Dallas Stars history with a goal streak of three consecutive games. The Stars signed a strong free agent contender in Mason Marchment. Hintz signed an eight-year contract extension on Nov. 29 and Pavelski accepted a one-year extension through the 2023-24 season. Colin Miller from the Buffalo Sabres and Nils Lundkvist from the Rangers have both added some new spice to their games. And if we're talking spice, Benn and Tyler Seguin have blended up some hot sauce out of the season so far, bouncing back after a few years of adversity.
In a postgame interview on Dec. 23 after a 4-2 win over the Canadiens, DeBoer spoke on this depth: "I think the story of our team has been our depth scoring from everybody. The guys who are supposed to score have scored and we've gotten some depth scoring. Guys like Johnny have chipped in. We've gotten contributions from a lot of other people."

As Daryl "Razor" Reaugh might say, Robertson helped "tickle the net" twice in the matchup against Montreal, becoming the fastest to 50 on the Stars roster and fourth in the league. "He's elite offensively and not just a goal scorer" said DeBoer on Robertson's plays. "I know the goal scoring streak; they've talked about it, but when the puck's on his stick something good is usually happening offensively. He is an underrated playmaker. He sees the ice really well, he makes good plays, he finds open people when the shot's not there. He's just an elite player."
Robertson says an open mind and learning to adapt through change have positively impacted his ability to remain consistent at this level.
"I think a valuable life lesson for me was when I moved from California to Michigan. As a 10-year-old you're moving from what you're familiar from, not to mention the weather, your family back home. A lot of credit to my parents for bringing me there, but learning to adapt to a new area was the biggest thing." Robertson said this life experience set him up to become better prepared for the change of scenery that is inevitable in this sport. "It's getting out of your comfort zone. It makes you more open."
But arguably more important than being open-minded and resilient - and the ultimate key to longevity - is remembering to have fun.
"I love playing hockey" says the record-breaking Robertson. "I still love doing the little things. I still love being out there and having fun. You've got to work hard and not be complacent. It would be great for young athletes to just remember to have fun out there."

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.