Longtime WHL trainer Colin ‘Toledo’ Robinson retires after nearly 30 years
Kamloops, BC.- Colin ‘Toledo’ Robinson has been doing a lot of thinking as the 2023-24 WHL season draws to a close.
As the Kamloops Blazers trainer sits on the team bus, memories of nearly 30 seasons in the league whip by as quickly as the scenery.
The legendary WHL trainer is calling it a career after nearly 2,000 games and will be honoured prior to the Blazers’ game against Prince George on March 22,
“Different players, different moments, scenarios where you’ve had to fix something or go on to the ice and look after something or different interactions with fan or just all those types of things,” Robinson said. “In Kamloops here there was a big game between us and Victoria. Brendan Ranford, we were on the powerplay and he broke his stick and and I took a stick and I kind of Javelin-ed to him and the refs didn’t see it, then he got the puck and scored. You’re not allowed to do that, but I got away with that one. Another one I always think is the tiebreaker game against the Kelowna Rockets (in 2019) and just how that game unfolded and how we went on a streak at the end. I just think about that group and how they gelled together at the right time.”
Calgary Flames standout rookie Connor Zary remembers that game well but says his favourite memories of Toledo came from typical days around the rink, whether it was he was leading a legendary pre-game jump around or simply sharing a kind word when a player was having a difficult day.
“Him coming in and jumping and hitting the garbage can, yelling the starting lineup and stuff like that just, little funny things,” Zary recalled. “My best memories of him are just how much he did for me. Everyone has good and bad days but when I’ve been going through tough times or anything like that, he was the first guy to pull me aside and make me laugh and make me feel good about myself and stay confident.”
Zary gave Toledo a shoutout in his media availability after being drafted by the Flames in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and the pair have kept in contact as Zary has risen from the AHL to an impressive everyday NHLer.
“He’s been one of the biggest influences on me coming through junior and someone who really helped me along,” Zary added. “He’s always been my biggest supporter after something good happens and he’s always able to keep things light in an area and keep it fun. I think that’s a huge thing coming in as a 16-year-old and into Kamloops, pretty far away from Saskatoon.
“He’s one of the best to ever do it.”
Prior to joining Kamloops in 2005, Robinson served as the trainer for the Vancouver Giants for the club’s formative years from 2001-2005 and Swift Current from 1995-2001.
He was previously honoured by Vancouver, with former Giants forward TJ Mulock and Vice-President Dale Saip joining Toledo at center ice to present him with a special Giants jersey.
“It was unbelievable and such a great time in my life,” Robinson added. ” Moving back to where my wife’s from and having more family around us with young children and the experience of building an organization from the ground up and being there from day one was awesome and something I’ll always remember and cherish. For them to recognize me and do what they did and bring out a player that played for me in Vancouver and for Kamloops was so touching.”
Robinson got his start as a stick boy for the Red Deer Rustlers of the AJHL and simply never found a reason to leave the rink- his son, Ty, has even followed in his footsteps as an assistant equipment manager for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
He’d eventually earn calls to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, World U18 Hockey Challenge, three CHL/NHL Top Prospects Games and five WHL All-Star Games.
Beyond his professional pedigree, those who’ve worked with Robinson recall his gregarious nature and work to make players comfortable.
“In 2017, we presented him with a WHL Milestone Award that’s for a trainer that’s worked 1,500 games in our year in our league,” WHL Vice-President, Hockey Richard Doerkson recalled. “That speaks to the quality of his work, the job he does but I think it extends to even more than that. Obviously, you have the injuries, but you know for the players coming in, a lot of them come in at the age of 16 and they’re away from home, perhaps for the first time. I think that’s where he’s done such a good job is being a big brother with them, taking them in, making them feel comfortable, and always giving them one more shoulder to lean on or one more person to talk to.”
Blazers General Manager and Head Coach got to know Robinson in that exact scenario when his son, Connor, was drafted by the Blazers while Clouston was working in Medicine Hat.
“There’s really something to be said about longevity,” Clouston said. “I think that it’s a challenging job. It’s very consuming during the hockey season and it’s usually not a very glorious position, but it’s an important position.
“It’ll be an emotional feeling (at the ceremony). He’s got a lot of support. He’s been with the team through good times and bad times. We’re very thankful for everything he’s done for the organization through so many years and we wish him all the best and his family all the best sort of on this next stage of his journey.”
Robinson will be starting a new position with Interior Health when he steps away from the bench and plans to be relaxing by a river when the next training camp begins in the summer.
But come game time, he’ll be sure to cheer the Blazers on- from the stands, instead of the bench.
“I’m so honored to be a Blazer for the last 18 years and they know there’s a saying here- once a Blazer, always a Blazer, and I feel that today,” Robinson added. “I’m so thankful to this organization and the people that run it and all the different coaches and players I’ve worked with and my support staff that help me every day to make an impact. I’m sure I’ll end up coming to some games here and there and watching the boys compete and cheer them on just like anybody else would- but with a little bit bigger heart.”