Summer Spotlight: Robinson set another career high in production

Number:50

Birth date: June 14, 1995 (age 28)

Birthplace:Bellmawr, N.J.

Height, Weight:6-2, 205

2022-23 Stats:72 GP, 12-12-24

Contract: Signed through 2023-24 season (One year remaining until UFA status)

It's impressive the way Eric Robinson has been able to carve out an NHL career.

It's not about where you start but where you finish, and Robinson took a bit of a long road to make it to the highest level. He was a good high school and AAA player growing up alongside Johnny Gaudreau in southern New Jersey, eventually using his size and speed to earn a look in the USHL.

From there, he went to Princeton, and the steps were at first small but eventually impressive. After just 15 points his first two seasons, Robinson posted a combined 30 goals in his last two campaigns with the Tigers and was named a team captain.

He then had to work his way through a season and a half in the minors before heading to Columbus full-time. Robinson has now played in parts of six NHL seasons, totaling 37 goals and 81 points in 259 games. Now a key penalty killer and energy player, he's coming off his most productive NHL season yet.

"I'm not young for the league anymore, but I still feel young and still feel like I'm learning," he said late in the season. "Obviously something I've struggled with in the past is getting opportunities, not necessarily finishing, but I do feel like there's something more there that the more I get comfortable and confident, I can produce more."

While the offense has increased each season to this point in his career, what coaches most appreciate out of Robinson is his consistency.

"You know, the thing about Robbie is he's a quiet guy," previous head coach Brad Larsen said. "He's constantly working at his game. He's always on the ice with (former assistant coach Kenny McCudden). There's a group that every day at the end of practice is working. He's got great speed. He's been a valuable player for us the way he kills penalties."

Top Moment of 2022-23

Could it be anything else than his hat trick in a Feb. 28 game at Buffalo? Robinson became the 29th Blue Jacket in team history to record three goals in a game, as he keyed the team's 5-3 win over a Sabres team scrambling to make the playoffs (and that would miss out on the final spot by one point). Robinson found a loose puck and ripped it past Craig Anderson in the first to give the Jackets a 2-1 lead, then made it 3-1 early in the second from in front on a pass from Sean Kuraly. Finally, Robinson completed his first career hat trick in the third period with an empty-net goal.

Robinson's Top Highlights

Stat to Know

The Blue Jackets have a history of being a home to undrafted players like Robinson. In fact, among active NHLers who were not drafted, the two top goal scorers -- Artemi Panarin and Jonathan Marchessault -- as well as the top goalie in wins (Sergei Bobrovsky) all have played for the Blue Jackets. Robinson, meanwhile, has become an NHL regular despite not signing with the Jackets until the end of his Princeton career. According to Quant Hockey, he places 29th among active undrafted NHLers in career goals with 37, a testament to how his hard work has paid off.

2023-24 Expectations

Robinson has shown he can be a dependable bottom-six winger who can play up and down the lineup some as well. His blazing speed and strong positional play has made him a dependable penalty killer, and he can make things happen in transition because of his wheels and the ability to finish at times. He's also shown he can work well with Kuraly, so it wouldn't be a big surprise to see the two play together again on a checking line that can catch opponents sleeping with its speed this season.