UNH Recruit Mike Robinson - 3rd Round Pick of San Jose Sharks

San Jose Drafts Goalie Mike Robinson in Third Round

Mike Robinson, UNH's "Goalie of the Future", has been drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. On Saturday, Robinson was seated in the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, home of the Florida Panthers, when he heard his named called. The 6'4", 200 lbs. goalie from Bedford, New Hampshire was the 86th overall pick and the 7th goalie selected in the draft.

Mike Robinson (DOB: 3/27/1997) verbally accepted an athletic scholarship offer from the University of New Hampshire last August. He has been training with Mike Buckley of Goaltending Development Services(GDS) for 10 years. Coach Buckley is the goalie development coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and was formerly UNH's goalie coach. Robinson plans to enroll at UNH in the Fall of 2016.

Over the years, UNH fans have been fortunate to watch seven UNH goalies who were NCAA All-Americans:

Rod Blackburn 1958-61 – NHL Draft began in 1963.
Cap Raeder 1972-75 – 1973 NHL Draft, Round 12, 167th Overall.
Jeff Levy 1990-92 – 1990 NHL Draft, Round 7, 134th Overall.
Ty Conklin 1997-2001 – Not drafted.
Mike Ayers 2000-04 – 2000 NHL Draft, Round 6, 177th Overall.
Kevin Regan 2004-08 – 2003 NHL Draft, Round 9, 277th Overall.
Brian Foster 2006-10 – 2005 NHL Draft, Round 5, 161st Overall.

Mike Robinson's selection in the 3rd Round makes him the highest, NHL-drafted goalie in UNH history.

UNH "Goalie of the Future"
Mike Robinson

Robinson is committed to play for the Junior Bruins Premiere team in the United States Premiere Hockey League next season. Last season, in his junior year in high school, Mike played every game for Lawrence Academy in the New England Prep School Hockey Conference. While the team struggled with a record of 7-16-2, Robinson posted a Save Percentage of .902 and a Goals Against Average of 3.20. In May, Robinson was drafted by the Lincoln Stars in the 7th Round of the USHL Phase II Draft. However, he did not attend Lincoln's recent Tryout Camp and does not currently plan on playing in the USHL next season. Robinson did participate in USA Hockey's Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp in early May.

I had an opportunity to interview Mike, via email, about his selection in the NHL draft, his strengths, and plans for enrolling at UNH:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on your selection in the 3rd Round of the 2015 NHL Draft. Would you describe what it was like sitting in the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida as Day 2 of the draft began?
Mike Robinson: Sitting and waiting for my name to be called was very nerve racking. I tried to stay calm through the whole process and not let myself get too nervous about waiting though.

Mike Lowry: When the NHL Central Scouting Service came out with its "Players to Watch" list last November, you were not included. Now, the San Jose Sharks have drafted you in the 3rd round and you were the 7th goalie selected - ahead of other top goalie prospects. What are some of the factors you think lead to your rapid climb up the draft ladder?
Mike Robinson: I feel very honored to be selected by such a great organization like the San Jose Sharks. And being selected by them in the 3rd round is an honor. I feel like from not being on the list in November for Central Scouting, to be drafted in the 3rd round is just a reflection of all the hard work I have put in this year. And I have my teammates at Lawrence Academy to thank, for all the hard work they put in every practice to make me better.

Lowry: Did the scouting staff of NHL clubs interview you ahead of the draft? Did you have a sense that San Jose might draft you?
Robinson: I was interviewed by Florida and Colorado down in Florida before the draft. I did have a feeling that San Jose might pick me. They had a lot of interest in me when they interviewed me, just after the season.

Lowry: What are the skills that you think might make you a successful NHL goalie in the future?
Robinson: My strengths as a goalie are that I have a big frame, being 6'4", but along with that is my athleticism in the net. Those aspects I feel set me apart from other goalies.

Lowry: Now that you've been drafted by San Jose, are you still planning to enroll at UNH in either the Fall of 2016 or 2017?
Robinson: I've talked to Coach Umile. I will be a freshman in 2016.