UNH Commit Mike Robinson Chosen in USHL Draft

Goalie Mike Robinson
Drafted by Dubuque Fighting Saints

On Tuesday, the United States Hockey League held its Phase II Draft for players born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2000. The 16 USHL teams used 24 rounds to select players who could compete for spots on the 2016-17 roster. The players came from a wide variety of teams including high school, prep, and junior teams from both the United States and Canada. Three players committed to the University of New Hampshire - Mike Robinson (goalie), Charlie Kelleher (center/winger), and Lucas Bahn (defenseman) - were drafted by USHL teams.

Mike Robinson - Goalie

Mike Robinson (DOB: 3/27/1997), a left-catching goalie, was selected by the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the 2nd Round of the 2016 USHL Entry Draft. He was the 30th overall pick and the third goaltender selected.

Last summer, Robinson was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In July, he participated in the Sharks' Prospect Camp but injured his wrist. Robinson had committed to play for the Boston Junior Bruins Premiere team but his recovery kept him out of their lineup until January 2, 2016.

Robinson, a native of Bedford, NH, was the goalie of record for the Jr Bruins in 12 regular season games. The 6'4", 200 lbs. goalie won 7 games and lost 5. He posted a Goals Against Average of 2.97 and a Save Percentage of .910. He only played for 8 minutes in one of the Jr Bruins' 4 USPHL Playoff games.

Before Robinson injured his wrist, he had planned to play one season with the Junior Bruins in the USPHL and enroll at UNH in the Fall of 2016. Last November, he signed a National Letter of Intent with UNH. However, as Michael explains in this interview, he, his family, and the UNH coaches have decided to move his enrollment to the Fall of 2017.

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on being selected by the Dubuque Fighting Saints as the 30th overall pick in the 2016 USHL Phase II Draft. The Saints' starting goalie Hunter Miska plans to enroll at Minnesota-Duluth next fall and their backup Jaxon Castor is committed to Arizona State for 2017 or 2018. Do you plan on attending Dubuque's tryout camp in June and/or their training camp in late August to compete for a spot on their 23-player active roster for 2016-17?

Mike Robinson: Yes, I plan on attending their camp this summer and plan on playing in Dubuque for the 2016-17 season.

Mike Lowry: What does the opportunity to play in the USHL offer you in terms developing specific areas of your game?

Mike Robinson: Playing in the USHL next season will benefit my development and prepare me for the next level. The USHL is the top junior league in the country and for me, playing at such a high level like that, it will get me ready for college hockey.

Lowry: You have signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at UNH and play for the Wildcats. Originally, you had planned to enroll in the Fall of 2016. Have you decided to defer your enrollment until the Fall of 2017?

Robinson: Due to the injury (wrist) I suffered at camp in San Jose and missing a good chunk of the season (Aug-Jan) I feel for my development, I should play another year of juniors to prepare myself for college hockey.

Lowry: Being drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL draft by the San Jose Sharks means that there are a number of teams/organizations who have an interest in having you come play for them sometime in the next few years. In addition to the Dubuque Fighting Saints, the Rimouski Oceanics drafted you in the 2015 QMJHL Draft. Are you still on track to play NCAA hockey in 2016 or 2017?

Robinson: I talked to many teams leading up to the USHL draft and after ending up in Dubuque, I couldn't be happier. I have heard many great things about the organization and I am proud to be selected by them. I plan on attending UNH in the fall of 2017.

2016-17 UNH Roster

Although Mike Robinson will not be enrolling this Fall, the UNH Wildcats will have two veteran goaltenders on their squad. Danny Tirone enrolled midway through the 2014-15 season. As a freshman, the 5'11", 175 lbs. right-catching goalie compiled a 14-6-0 record with a 2.14 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.. He was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month in March, 2015. Last season, Tirone's record was 9-19-6 with a 3.19 GAA and a .907 Save%. He was named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week twice. Tirone will be a junior next season.

Adam Clark played in every game during the first half of his freshman season. The 6'5", 220 lbs. left-catching goalie accumulated 5-13-2 record in 2014-15 with a 2.94 goals against average and a .894 save percentage. Clark only played in two games last season before injuring his shoulder. In late October, he won against Union College and Merrimack College on successive weekends and compiled a 2.00 GAA and .939 Save%. Clark will also be a junior next season.