By JASON LOWENTHAL
Today we take a look
at reigning United States Hockey League rookie of the year Robby Jackson. Still
a 16-year-old until Aug. 22, Jackson is set to begin his second season in
Chicago and is excited for the year ahead. We caught up with him as he enjoys the
final weeks of his offseason.
Q: What did winning
rookie of the year last season mean to you?
Jackson: It was a
huge honor. I couldn’t have done it without the guys and the coaching staff.
Every single one of those guys helped me develop and get that award.
-Jackson became the
first member of the Steel to capture the award since Danny Richmond in 2001-02.
Q: How do you build
off of that momentum coming into this year?
Jackson: We have
so many guys coming back and they’re all great hockey players. Once we got it
going last season, we were a force to be reckoned with. We got off to a rough
start last year and missed playoffs because of it, but we’re going to use that
as motivation.
Q: What was it like
coming into an elite hockey league like the USHL and producing right away?
Jackson: It was a lot of fun. The USHL is such great hockey
and I was fortunate enough to have a good season. My mom actually texted me
about the record when she heard, because I didn’t know about it. Hopefully, I
can continue to build off that coming into this season.
-Jackson stepped into
a leading role right away last season as he tallied a USHL record 28 goals as a
16-year-old.
Q: During the
recruitment process, what attracted you most to St. Cloud State University?
Jackson: Everybody
always asks me that question and I never have one specific answer. I fell in
love with everything, the coaches and the facilities. I’m really excited to
continue on and play at the college level.
Q: Next month when
you compete for Team USA over in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, that will be
your first international experience. What are your feelings about playing for
your country?
Jackson: I’m not
even going to be able to put it into words. To be able to represent my country
and put on that USA jersey is incredible. Hopefully we take home gold, but even
if we go over there and do nothing, it’s going to be an amazing feeling
representing my country, the Steel, and my family.
Q: Being from
California and moving to what is a huge hockey market here in Chicago, what is
that like for you?
Jackson: It was
awesome. I was over the moon getting the chance to come to Chicago. You can
actually have a decent hockey conversation here versus in California. It’s
great to be in a city where people not only know hockey but love it too.
Q: What was the
experience like having to leave home to really realize your true potential?
Jackson: It’s
tough. Last season was my second year living away from home because of hockey.
I had lived with a teammate back in California, but it was still closer to
home. When I came to Chicago last year, I was used to living away from home,
but it’s still really hard. It’s something that almost every hockey player has
to go through at some point though.
Q: Growing up, who
was your biggest hockey influence?
Jackson: My dad
was my biggest influence. He coached a lot of the younger teams that I was on.
He’s able to keep me in line and has done wonders for me and my hockey career.
Q: This offseason, what
have been two of your hockey-related goals?
Jackson: Making
the USA team was one of my biggest goals. I really wanted to prove that I could
accomplish that. I’ve also been trying to balance resting and staying focused
for this season.
Q: What is your
outlook for this upcoming season for the Steel?
Jackson: We’ve
got a great group of guys coming back. We’re going to be a good team. The
potential we have as a team really is scary and I’m just excited to get back
out there with the group of guys we have.
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