Robertson's rise with Stars latest success for U.S.-born players in NHL

Jason Robertson continues to prove his trajectory is as promising as anyone's in the new wave of United States-born players in the NHL.

The Dallas Stars forward is tied for fifth with Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane among U.S.-born players in points (193 in 178 games), and fourth among them in goals (91) since his first full NHL season in 2020-21. The 23-year-old has taken his game to another level this season with 69 points (33 goals, 36 assists) in 53 games, on pace for 107 points.
The biggest constant since Robertson's rookie season has been his linemates; he has played predominantly with center Roope Hintz and forward Joe Pavelski, who's second among active U.S.-born NHL players in goals (435) and third in points (972). Since 2020-21, Robertson, Hintz and Pavelski have been on the ice together for 174 goals, the most among any trio of forwards.
Pavelski, 38, and Robertson thriving on the same line could be considered the passing of the torch between two of the biggest U.S.-born surprises in the NHL since the turn of the century. Pavelski was a steal by the San Jose Sharks, selected in the seventh round (No. 205) of the 2003 NHL Draft. The Stars selected Robertson in the second round (No. 39) of the 2017 NHL Draft.
"Just the chemistry and being familiar with the players, Joe and Roope," Robertson said. "I've been playing with them -- almost every game we've been healthy and on the same line. The more you play together, the more you'll know the speed and everything. It's like a perfect storm. It's really good so far."
A national TV audience will get to see Robertson in action when Dallas hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN NOW). It's the first game of an ABC doubleheader; the Washington Capitals visit the Boston Bruins in the second game (3:30 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, TVAS, SN NOW).
After being drafted by the Stars, Robertson returned to Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League and played there and also with Niagara of the OHL the next two seasons. He played most of his first professional season with Texas of the American Hockey League in 2019-20, and had 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) in 60 games and one assist in three NHL games with Dallas that season.
But then Robertson broke out in 2020-21, with 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 51 games, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting for the NHL rookie of the year behind Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov. Robertson's points-per-game average has improved drastically each year since then, going from 0.88 as a rookie to 1.07 last season and 1.30 (10th in the NHL) this season.
He was rewarded with a four-year, $31 million contract (average annual value $7.75 million) he signed on Oct. 5.
"It happened fast for [Robertson]," New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, also U.S.-born, said during All-Star Game Media Day on Feb. 3. "He's had a pretty crazy year. He's an opportunistic player and one of those young [U.S.-born] players that everyone's talking about."
Kane, who leads active U.S.-born NHL players in goals (439), assists (776) and points (1,215) in 1,154 games, has had plenty of matchups against Robertson in the Central Division and said he's impressed by what he sees.
"I mean, you watch him," Kane said, "it's not like he really sticks out as far as his speed or not necessarily his skill -- I mean he has a lot of skill for sure -- I think he's just an extremely smart player.
"He mixes well with Hintz and Pavelski there. They seem to really use each other really well. I think [Robertson] is a guy who [just] gets it done."

But it hasn't been easy. Robertson, who was born in Arcadia, California, was a fourth-round pick (No. 62) in the 2015 OHL Draft and played five seasons in that league and one in the AHL before making his NHL debut Feb. 13, 2020. On that date, Robertson became the second player of Filipino heritage in the NHL, behind Tim Stapleton, who made his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008-09. Robertson, Stapleton, Minnesota Wild defenseman Mathew Dumba and Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson, Jason's younger brother, are the only players of Filipino descent to play in the NHL.
Peter DeBoer, in his first season as Stars coach, said he was instantly impressed by Robertson's constant work on his craft. DeBoer said Robertson didn't get near the top of the NHL ranks by accident, has staying power among the elite and is a huge reason Dallas (30-13-10; 70 points) is in first place in the Central Division.
"I love the journey that Jason's taken to get here," DeBoer said. "Not an early-round draft pick in the OHL draft. Not an early-round NHL pick. He wasn't one of the top five or 10 overall. Spent time in the minors. Worked to get here. And now he's among the best scorers on the planet, and I think he's going to be there for the next 10 years."
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid leads the NHL in scoring (94 points; 41 goals, 53 assists in 52 games) by a wide margin and is the front-runner for the Hart Trophy, voted as NHL most valuable player. But there are five U.S.-born forwards 25 years old or younger in contention to be Hart finalists: Robertson; Hughes, 21; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, 25; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, 25; and Toronto center Auston Matthews, 25.
Matthews, out with a with a knee injury, won the Hart Trophy last season, the first U.S.-born player to do so since Kane in 2016. Matthews also won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL goals leader in consecutive seasons (41 in 2020-21, 60 to lead the League last season).
Johnny Gaudreau of the Columbus Blue Jackets, another U.S.-born forward, tied for second in the NHL in scoring (115 points; 40 goals, 75 assists in 82 games) with the Calgary Flames last season and finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting. Gaudreau said he's proud to see so many American players in contention for League MVP, some of whom he expected to be here, and others, like Robertson, who continues to reach new heights.
"It's great to see the young American players getting recognized a little bit more," Gaudreau said. "Those are all great players. It would be great to see another [American] win it for sure."