Whether you’re an NHL netminder or an amateur goalie staring down shooters in a local beer league, positioning and timing are everything. Just ask Harold Robinson, a 65-year-old goaltender who is a fixture in a local recreational league at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
Recently, the New York City native did more than just put himself in the way of flying pucks. He managed to live out the dream of any prospective puckstopper and found his way onto the ice with an NHL team.
Robinson arrived at the rink for his typical Wednesday afternoon open hockey skate with friends. He happened to be getting dressed in the same room that the San Jose Sharks coaching staff was using to prepare for their practice prior to a game the following night against the Rangers. Robinson struck up a conversation with several of the Sharks staff, including head coach Ryan Warsofsky, who invited him to join the team on the ice.
He originally thought he would just get an up-close look at an NHL practice but the Sharks staff had other ideas. After a few warmup laps, Warsofsky introduced his new friend to the rest of the team and had him talk about himself and his career as a goalie. The story elicited stick taps from the NHL squad, who invited him to get between the pipes to take a few shots.
With the Sharks in a bit of an early season funk, Robinson’s presence and friendly demeanor helped break up the monotony for a young team in search of a spark.
“It loosened up our group maybe a little bit,” Warsofsky told a writer traveling with the team. “The guys were the ones that really kind of wanted to keep him out there. The guys were great.
Mack [Macklin Celebrini] and Luke Kunin had some nice words to say about him.”
In addition to having the experience of a lifetime, Robinson skated away with an even greater appreciation of the skill and passion that NHL players have to reach the highest level of the game.
“The blessing about being out there with a professional team is that it makes you appreciate their love for the sport,” he said.
Not to mention their incredible skill.
“These guys are shooting the puck and the first few go by me, and I thought ‘oh my God, what did I get myself into?’” Robinson said with a laugh.
After facing a dozen shots or so, including a twisted wrister from Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NHL draft, Robinson thanked his hosts and made his way over to the open skate on the other rink.
“I could’ve stayed a little bit longer and got in there for a second round, but I was happy with that,” he said. “I’m one of these people who respects other people’s time, and I appreciate them giving me the opportunity that any other goalie would dream about doing. That was a moment that I’ll never forget.”