17吃瓜

The 17吃瓜 Men鈥檚 Hockey are excited to welcome former Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Jakob Robillard to the team for the 2023鈥�24 season.

After signing with the Islanders in January, Robillard said he felt at home in front of Island hockey fans and appreciated the warm reception that came his way.

鈥淚 learned very quickly how warm and welcoming fans on the Island are,鈥� said the 21-year-old from Wendover, Ontario. 鈥淧EI obviously has a passion for hockey, and I loved the energy the fans brought every night at the Eastlink Centre. I expect more of the same here at 17吃瓜.鈥�

Robillard鈥檚 time with the Islanders was short but memorable, as he took over for Francesco Lapenna who was traded to Gatineau, and guided the team to the playoffs. In 26 regular season games with the club, Robillard posted a 13-12 record with a 3.29 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.

Prior to that, Robillard suited up for 53 games over two years with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, sporting a 29-15 record with a 2.80 goals against average and an .892 save percentage. After leading the Phoenix to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) semifinals鈥攁gainst Charlottetown鈥攈e was invited to the Ottawa Senators鈥� development camp, where he competed in a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres鈥� younger players and prospects.

Time and time again, Robillard has shown that he鈥檚 a quality netminder. In 2018, the Barrie Colts drafted Robillard with a 13th round pick in the OHL draft, although he never played for the team. Despite moving from team to team, his confidence never wavered, and he thrived in the opportunities he earned.

鈥淔or as long as I can remember, I鈥檝e had to fight for my opportunities, and I am grateful for that,鈥� said Robillard, who will be studying business at 17吃瓜. 鈥淚 believe I鈥檝e built a lot of resiliency and character throughout my career which will only help me on this journey.鈥�

For the Panthers, Robillard figures to play an important role right away, as he鈥檒l form strong goaltending trio with veteran all-star Jonah Capriotti, who decided to return for his final year of eligibility, and another recruit who will be named at a later date.

鈥淛akob will be a big piece of our goaltending position next year and in the years to come,鈥� said Panthers head coach Forbes MacPherson. 鈥淲e will be a young team, and there will be some learning and growth, but we feel this position can be a stable force for us, and Jakob will have a significant role.鈥�

When he was growing up, Robillard said, he looked up to and modelled his style after goalies like NHLer Carey Price, who provided a calming presence between the pipes and made everything look easy.

鈥淢y biggest attribute as a goaltender is my poise in the net. Being calm and collected through my movements and saves has always been how I鈥檝e strived to play.鈥�

MacPherson saw the same thing watching him from afar and jumped at the opportunity to recruit him when the time came.

鈥淛akob is a big goalie who covers a lot of net and competes hard. We had the opportunity to watch Jakob last year with the Islanders,鈥� MacPherson said. 鈥淓veryone with the Islanders spoke very highly of Jakob, and after we had a chance to meet, there seemed to be a connection.鈥�