Local hockey star vows to seize ‘big opportunity’ in QMJHL

An up and coming Orillia hockey participant has used exhausting work and willpower to earn a coveted spot on one of many prime groups in the Quebec Main Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). 

Robbie Rutledge, 18, grew up enjoying within the Orillia Minor Hockey Affiliation program earlier than switching over to the North Central Predators AAA program after his peewee season.

The left winger had a breakout season final yr with the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary College graduate racked up 67 factors in simply 46 video games.

“I used to be surrounded by a extremely good teaching employees and a superb group of fellows,” Rutledge mentioned. “It made it a lot simpler to play and gave me extra confidence.”  

The Lumberjacks misplaced within the championship finals throughout a Recreation 7 additional time heartbreaker. 

“I’m utilizing that as motivation,” he mentioned. “I by no means wish to have that feeling once more of being so shut and arising quick.” 

Scouts from a number of groups had their eyes on Rutledge final yr, but it surely was the Charlottetown Islanders who made an official supply to maneuver the Orillia native to Prince Edward Island. 

“It is a huge alternative for me,” he mentioned. “After I wasn’t drafted into the OHL, I believed my main junior desires had been form of over.” 

Rutledge had been missed by groups prior to now attributable to what was thought of by scouts as an absence of ability and below-average velocity. 

“After I didn’t get drafted, I form of used it as motivation,” Rutledge mentioned. “I saved working, I obtained stronger, and obtained quicker.” 

Rutledge mentioned he shortly developed a behavior of being the toughest employee on the fitness center and on the ice. After teammates had left the ice following apply, Rutledge would keep on to place in additional work. 

Now that his abilities and velocity have been sharpened, Rutledge is able to put them to the check on one of many QMJHL’s finest groups. 

“They’ve a tremendous coach who gained CHL coach of the yr,” he defined. “They made the finals final yr and have numerous guys who had performed within the group who at the moment are within the NHL.” 

In his first yr together with his new crew, Rutledge desires to cement his fame for having a stellar work ethic in a brand new atmosphere. 

“It’s going to be an enormous change,” he mentioned. “I’ll play my function and do regardless of the crew wants me to do to assist them win.” 

Rutledge hopes to sooner or later make the NHL, however he’s taking it sooner or later at a time. 

“I’m not targeted on that an excessive amount of,” he mentioned. “I’m simply making an attempt to have enjoyable as a result of I solely get three extra years of junior. I wish to take advantage of out of it.” 

Rutledge says he couldn’t have made it so far as he already has with out the assist of his grandparents and fogeys. 

“They’ve all the time supported me it doesn’t matter what,” he mentioned. “Even after I was at my lowest, they all the time saved me going and pushing ahead.”