Robinson granted family medical leave
October 25, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Aces have placed winger Matt Robinson on emergency family medical leave while welcoming back one of their Kelly Cup heroes from a year ago, goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu.
Robinson, a 21-year-old rookie who played in both of Alaska's wins over Victoria last weekend, learned early Sunday that his 18-year-old brother, Garrett, had been seriously injured in a car accident. Garrett Robinson, in the midst of his third season with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League, has been placed in a medically-induced coma and is listed in critical but stable condition at Regina (Sask.) General Hospital. The Aces, who put Matt Robinson on a plane to be with his family less than six hours after the accident, learned late Tuesday that Garrett had shown signs of responsiveness in recent hours. Alaska also has been working with the ECHL in addressing the need for an emergency medical leave for Matt.
"Unfortunately, this is a classic case of a parents' worst nightmare," said Alaska head coach Davis Payne. "On the other hand, we're hopeful that with the overwhelming support of his family and teammates, that Garrett will pull through OK. In the meantime, Matt knows that he and his family can depend on us throughout this difficult time."
The 22-year-old Beckford-Tseu, originally a fifth-round pick of St. Louis in the 2003 NHL Draft, started and won Peoria's season opener October 6, making 28 saves in a 4-3 overtime verdict over Omaha. That victory turned out to be his only appearance in Peoria's first eight games. He went 16-1-2 during the regular season last year in Alaska, earning the start at the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game (he did not play, due to a Peoria call-up) and a record four ECHL Goaltender of the Week awards. Beckford-Tseu may have been the deciding factor in Alaska's defeat of Las Vegas in the West Finals, stopping 70 of 71 shots in Games Four and Five in Las Vegas with the Aces in a 2-1 hole. He finished the playoffs with an 8-4 record, a 2.04 goals against average, and a .930 save percentage to go along with three shutouts, including two against Fresno in the conference finals.
With this week's additions (defenseman Patrick Wellar re-joined the team yesterday), nine Aces who dressed the night Alaska won the Kelly Cup June 1, 2006 may be found on the current roster. The Aces (2-0) play host to the 1-2 Bakersfield Condors this Friday and Saturday night at Sullivan Arena, with both tilts scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. ADT face-off. Tickets are available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena, all Fred Meyer locations in Anchorage, www.alaskaaces.com, and Ticketmaster (562-4800).
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