Friday, June 11, 2010

NAHL pioneer Chuck Robertson remembered

Press Release

Chuck Robertson, for whom the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Robertson Cup is named, passed away last weekend.

The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion, which also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior A national champion.

A pioneer of junior and youth hockey in the state of Michigan, Robertson was the owner of the NAHL’s Paddock Pools Saints when they won a record seven straight championships from 1976-83.

“Chuck Robertson championed an unparalleled spirit of giving, all in an effort to see young hockey players realize their dreams, on and off the ice,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “His contributions to the game of hockey, specifically the North American Hockey League, have had a lasting effect on so many of our players, past and present, and his legacy won’t be forgotten.”

Former NAHL commissioner Tom Anastos, the commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), echoed those sentiments.

“Chuck’s passion for hockey and incredible generosity made it possible for so many players to enjoy an incredible experience and, in many cases, extended careers into the higher levels of hockey,” said Anastos. “In all of my years involved in our sport - as a player, coach and now as an administrator - I have never met a better man.

“Chuck was passionate about hockey, was a man of great integrity and cared deeply for those who played on his teams,” Anastos added. “He contributed a great deal of money - with no expectation of a return on his investment - but simply enjoyed seeing the benefits kids gained through the experience he was offering. He was incredibly generous.”

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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