Kingston Frontenacs GameDay February 29, 2016

Jason Robertson’s route to the Kingston
Frontenacs might be the longest of the
non-European import players. Born in
Northville, Michigan, he was raised in California
before moving to Toronto. He was
selected by the Frontenacs in the fourth
round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection
after a midget season with the Don Mills
Flyers that saw him record 61 points–28
goals and 33 assists–in 62 games. So far,
in his rookie season with the Kingston
Frontenacs, Robertson has an impressive
28 points–16 goals and 12 assists–good
for 14th among OHL rookies.
We caught up to him after practice at
Rogers K-Rock Centre.
GameDay: What’s it like being a rookie
in the OHL?
Jason robertson: It’s a lot different
from minor hockey. The players are older
and faster, and you have to adapt to it. But
it’s also really fun and a lot to take in.
GameDay: You’re a 16 year old, still
juggling school on top of a 68 game regular
season. What’s a typical day like?
Jason robertson: I get up at 7:30
a.m., have breakfast and head to school
from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and then
head to the rink for practice. After the onice
practice, I head into the workout room
and put in some time on the bike, stretch,
rollout, and then head home around 5:00
p.m. to have supper and relax or hang out
with the boys.
GameDay: As a Northville, Michigan
native, you’re a few hours from your family
here in Kingston. What’s been the biggest
adjustment in being away from home?
Jason robertson: Last year I lived
with my mom and my brother in Toronto,
which is only four hours from my home in
Michigan, so I’ve had some experience
with not seeing my family every day. The
toughest things is not seeing my parents,
my little brother, and my little sister and
having them to play around with and joke
with. Your family knows your personality
better than anyone, and not being with
them is probably the toughest thing.
GameDay: A very special day for you
was December 12, 2015. In the first half of
your rookie season, with some of the veteran
players missing from the bench due
to injury or tournaments, you scored a hattrick
on home ice against the Soo Greyhounds.
Tell us about what that was like?
Jason robertson: It was wild. It
was a really good experience. You never
forget your first OHL hat-trick, that’s for
sure. I was excited, the boys were excited
for me. I somehow ended up with a red
tophat on after that game, I think from one
of the mascots, which made it a really fun
experience.
GameDay: The Frontenacs are on
track for a pretty amazing regular season.
What’s the feelign like in the dressing
room?
Jason robertson: Our morale is
pretty high because we know we’re a team
that can win. We’re built to win. KF