Sports stats



USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Muskegon Hockey Legend Todd Robinson's No. 19 Jersey to be Retired on Fury Night

February 21, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


Todd Robinson, former member of the Muskegon Fury
Todd Robinson, former member of the Muskegon Fury
(Muskegon Lumberjacks)

MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Muskegon Lumberjacks will honor Fury legend and former Lumberjacks assistant coach Todd Robinson by retiring his Fury number 19 jersey on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, during the team's game against the Chicago Steel on Fury Night.

Although the current reincarnation of Muskegon hockey competes in the USHL, Lumberjacks President of Business Operations Andrea Rose felt now was the right time to honor Robinson and his accomplishments during his playing days with the Fury.

"It's the right thing to do," said Rose. "Muskegon has a tremendous hockey history, and the Muskegon Fury days bring a sense of nostalgia that is unrivaled. Retiring Todd Robinson's jersey isn't a business decision, but a community decision. It's only fitting that we hang the banner on Fury Night."

"The decision to retire his jersey was a no-brainer."

Often described as a local pro hockey legend, Robinson cemented himself into Muskegon sports history as the second-most leading point scorer in Fury history with 834 points across seven seasons in the UHL.

His name is ubiquitous with Fury fans after scoring the second-most goals in team history with 222 and more assists than anyone in team history with 612 helpers.

Robinson also set season records with 123 points in the 2006-07 season that are the most points recorded by any player in a single year.

A champion at every level, Robinson won three Colonial Cups with the Fury, which includes scoring the overtime game-winning goal in the 2002 Colonial Cup final in front of a sold-out, raucous crowd at L.C. Walker Arena - now renamed Mercy Health Arena - and subsequently named playoff MVP for the championship goal.

Todd Nelson, who coached the Fury to back-to-back UHL titles in 2004 and 2005, could not hold back on who Robinson was as a player.

"Coaching [Robinson] was a lot of fun because you got to see the creative side of him as a player," said Nelson, currently an assistant coach with the NHL's Dallas Stars. "The biggest thing that stands out to me is that he never wants to lose. He's a fierce competitor, and that's why he had success winning championships."

When the Fury underwent a full rebrand to the Lumberjacks of the IHL in 2008, Robinson continued his accomplished hockey career by registering another 223 points and was tabbed team captain for two seasons before the franchise ceased operations in Muskegon and relocated to Evansville, Ind.

In five of his nine seasons in Muskegon, Robinson was able to tally at least 100 points, making him the only player with the most 100-point seasons in the Muskegon era of franchise history.

One of those figures who witnessed Robinson's on-ice brilliance was Tim Taylor, who spent time with the Fury as their Director of Hockey Operations - later promoted to VP of Hockey Operations - and eventually promoted to Team President, General Manager, and franchise owner of the IHL's Lumberjacks.

"Todd was arguably the most prolific playmaker to ever wear a Muskegon jersey," said Taylor. "He is so deserving of this honor because as great as he was on the ice, he was just as good with community outreach programs and events throughout his career."

Rose, who grew up in the Muskegon area and observed Robinson play, also touched on what he meant to the local community.

"Not only do Todd's statistics speak volumes, but he was a fixture in Muskegon hockey for ten years. He started his family here and the support around retiring his jersey has been consistent during my tenure with the team."

When asked about Robinson's stature in the community, Nelson mentioned what Robinson meant to Muskegon as an individual.

"He's been part of west Michigan hockey for a bunch of years and he's revered for winning three championships in Muskegon."

After brief stints with the Odessa Jackalopes, Evansville Icemen, Allen Americans, and Tulsa Oilers, Robinson hung up the skates and retired from playing to become a full-time assistant coach with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks for three years beginning in 2014.

As an assistant under bench boss Todd Krygier, Robinson used his wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to help guide the game's future stars, such as Andrei Svechnikov, who was selected second overall in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.

In a 2015 MLive.com article, Robinson recognized what the city of Muskegon means to him, which included meeting his wife and starting a family in the Port City.

"Muskegon is a great place," touted Robinson. "I pretty much grew up here. I came here when I was 21 and lived here since. I love it here."

"I feel like I'm a part of the community now and have a lot of friends and a lot of great memories."

Robinson will be the third player to have his sweater honored by the Muskegon Fury in franchise history, joining Scott Feasby (#20, 2004) and Robin Bouchard (#32, 2019).

He also becomes just the 12th player in Muskegon hockey history to ever have their jersey number retired, joining an incredible group that includes former Mohawks Moose Lallo, Lynn Margarit, Joe Kastelic, Gary Ford, Bryan McLay, and Bob Tombari, and former Lumberjacks Jock Callander, Scott Gruhl and Dave Michayluk in the IHL era.

Robinson's number will be retired by the former Fury franchise only and will not affect the current Lumberjacks.

The Lumberjacks host the Chicago Steel on Friday, Feb. 25 for Fury Night, honoring Muskegon hockey history coupled with Robinson's jersey number retirement.

The Jacks will compete in specialty Fury jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics




Images from this story

Todd Robinson, former member of the Muskegon Fury
Todd Robinson, former member of the Muskegon Fury
   



United States Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central