Tristen Robins (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward
(1) Brain – Offensively Tristan can create space. While on line rushes Tristen understands how to manipulate gaps into his favor generating time and space for himself and his linemates. During an offensive zone cycle he feels the defensive pressure and will suck the defender far away from the net to create space before passing to an open teammate in a dangerous scoring area. In the defensive zone he does not get trapped along the wall. He has the ability to play center or wing.
(2) Vision & Poise – His head is up in all situations. He can pass through tight lanes after holding the puck for extended periods. He does not make blind hope plays into the slot.
(3) Feet – Tristen uses his quickness in the transition game through the neutral zone and when beating the opposition to the net looking for rebounds. He has a powerful first step, protects the puck well and has good agility.
(4) Compete & Effort – He battles in the defensive zone and shows high compete while defending his net. It seems like an obvious trait to have, but some young centers/forwards like to look “busy” while cheating on their defensive responsibilities.
(5) Contact or Physicality – He finishes his checks when appropriate and has the ability to separate the opposition from the puck along the walls.
(6) Release – He shoots with his head up and does not need to dust it off when receiving a poor pass. He plays his strong side / right side on the power play in an umbrella set up and we did notice a few shots being blocked, but we have also seen him fire bullets for goals from the high slot.
(7) One Timer Ability – We have not seen him shoot enough one timers to comment confidently, but his offensive skills lead us to believe that it is a skill that Tristen can develop.
(8) Body Language – We only note extremes.
(9) Special Teams Potential – He has the vision and puck skills to be a mid-wall or goal line option on a professional power play unit.
(10) Intangibles – After switching to center early during the 2019-20 season Tristen became one of the highest scoring players in the Western Hockey League.