Brandon Robinson joins Rochester’s to practice squad with the NLL final coming up.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Brandon Robinson has quite the story to tell. In a matter of 24 hours, the 22-year-old had to readjust his schedule after being contacted by the East Division champion Rochester Knighthawks.
One day after receiving a text from Knighthawks head scout Stuart Brown, Robinson was driving from Waterloo, Ontario to the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations. It was an opportunity to participate in his practice, but also a chance to help a team prepare for a shot at the National Lacrosse League Cup.
“I never thought my first practice would be the one heading into the NLL Finals,” he said. “It’s pretty cool. I am just trying to enjoy it, and I will do whatever they ask of me.”
It was a dream come true for the Robinson, who was winding down his second year at Wilfrid Laurier University.
“I probably would have been playing tennis with my roommates and just getting ready to work out tomorrow,” he said. “I would have just been relaxing.”
But Robinson was not tracking down lob shots Wednesday; he was attending his first National Lacrosse League practice. After watching his newest defenseman, Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen talked about Robinson’s potential and the need for another big body for the best-of-three series against Saskatchewan.
“He comes in at a time of year when we need a little insurance,” he said. “We have to catch him up on things and make him aware of what we do on the off chance that he needs to play for us… he is a future piece for us, but that future is now.”
The Knighthawks acquired Robinson on Aug. 10 from the New England Black Wolves in exchange for Adam Bomberry and the Black Wolves’ 14th overall selection in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft.
Robinson originally was selected in the fourth round (33rd overall) by the Black Wolves in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. This summer, he collected 7 goals and 13 assists in 12 games for the Brampton Excelsiors in his inaugural season in Major Series Lacrosse. In 5 seasons of Junior “A” lacrosse with Brampton, the transition man registered 47 goals and 60 assists for 107 points.
“Robinson is a big, strong player who can play both ends of the floor and who has tremendous upside,” said Brown. “At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he moves well for a big man, and we think he can develop into a good player for us.”
Robinson is a two-sport star, having played two seasons with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s hockey team. This year, the Pickering, Ontario native was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Second Team All-Star after finishing as the team’s leading scorer with nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points. In 2016-17, the left wing was named the Golden Hawks’ Rookie of the Year.
Just like when he was a kid, Robinson is now making the shift from hockey to lacrosse as he joins the Knighthawks during their bid for a sixth championship.
“I was trying to find my way and follow the older guys,” he said. “It was nice to meet some of the guys and put the names to faces, and get that first practice under my belt.”