Height: 6’2”
Weight: 179 pounds
Date of birth: January 15, 2000
Hometown: Holland Landing, Ontario
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
OHL Draft: Round 2, 30th overall, 2016 Priority Selection
NHL Central Scouting pre-season: B Prospect
NHL Central Scouting mid-term: 61st, North American skaters
NHL Central Scouting final rank: Not available at this time
As a member of the York Simcoe Express minor midget team, Carter Robertson scored 10 goals and 26 assists in 31 games during the 2015-2016 season. He won an OHL Cup Championship with The Express. In 7 games, he registered 3 assists.
The Ottawa 67’s would use their second-round pick, 30th overall at the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection in 2016 to select Robertson. The scouting report at the time from OHL Central Scouting read as follows:
“Carter is a smooth skating defenseman that has been steadily improving over the course of the season. He plays in every situation and logs a lot of big minutes for his team. He is a good skater with excellent mobility. He is very composed with the puck and doesn’t usually just throw it away. He makes good outlet passes and is effective on the offensive blueline. Carter is a very smart player that keeps the game simple.”
As a rookie, Robertson appeared in 44 games for the 67’s last season. He got his feet wet and scored once while adding 8 assists in those contests. He also represented Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17. In 5 games, Robertson notched one assist.
This season, Robertson has appeared in 51 games to date. He has 3 goals and 12 assists.
The word raw is used many times when discussing a prospect for the National Hockey League Draft and with Robertson, it is as much the case as it is with those others. He possesses an intriguing skill set and it’s just a matter of putting it all together.
Robertson has good size at 6’2”. Since his OHL draft, he’s grown an inch and has added some much-needed bulk to his frame as well. But he has a way to go in the bulk department, weighing in at 179 pounds.
As his scouting report suggested, Robertson is a smooth skating defenceman with excellent mobility. However, it is my belief that he lacks the confidence to use that mobility. When transitioning from defence to offence, he looks to pass first or simply clear the zone. He has the ability to skate the puck out of danger and I believe as he gains more experience and confidence, that will come.
His skating and size are an advantage defensively. He controls his caps with his mobility and he closes those gaps very quickly. He can transition to skating backwards easily and is adept at keeping players to the outside. He is winning more one-on-one battles along the walls and uses his size effectively in front of his goal.
Robertson is a very intelligent player. He sees plays develop and is almost always in position to defend. He defends with a very active stick and gets it into passing and shooting lanes. He’s capable of eating big minutes and can play in any situation.
If there are any concerns about Robertson it is how much offence can he provide? As mentioned, the tools are there. Along with all the above, he possesses very good puck skills, vision passing abilities and has an excellent shot – one that we’d like to see him use more often.
Drafting is a game of projecting, and with Robertson, it is no different.
Watch this video from Sportsnet.
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