Robert Hoping to Play Way into Goaltending Conversation

Evan Robert

  The Brandon Wheat Kings' goaltending picture looks cut and dried for this season, but Evan Robert is hoping to at least give the club cause for pause.

  Robert (pronounced row-bear) was listed in the Wheat Kings in October of last year after attending the club's 2012 training camp as an undrafted free agent.

  Last season, Robert had a 2.12 goals against average and .905 save percentage in 29 games with Shattuck St. Mary's U16 team last season

  "We had a great year, but it didn't turn out the way we wanted to in the national tournament," said the 5-foot-11, 160 pound Robert, "We went there with high expectations, we wanted to win it, we were working hard and we felt like were ready but we just couldn't seem to put the pieces together."

  Robert is rarity at Wheat Kings' camp -- a Minnesotan trying to make it in the Western Hockey League.

  In fact, Brandon hasn't had a Minnesota product on their roster since Bryan Nathe left college and joined the Wheat Kings midway through the 2002-2003 season.

  The 16-year old has family ties to Montreal and was actually been in Florida before moving to Minnedosa at the age of four and taking up the game, something he says he was drawn too quickly.

  "I've done my research, and I've narrowed it down to the CHL and the Western Hockey League being the best possible road for me to go as far as playing hockey and trying to get to the next level," said Robert, "I want to play with the Wheat Kings as soon as possible, I'm going to keep working hard until I can crack the roster."

  Robert is one of six goaltenders remaining for the main portion of the Wheat Kings' training camp, joining Brandon's expected 2013-2014 duo of Curtis Honey and Jordan Papirny along with fellow 16-year old Logan Thompson and 15-year old Josh Dechaine and Curtis Meger.

  "I think the Rookie Camp wasn't as fast or as hard as Main Camp.  There's some real good players out here, hard shots and great plays," said Robert, "I definitely have to keep my head up and keep playing my game and keep chugging away."

  The Wheat Kings' main camp opened Friday morning with Team Black scoring a 7-6 overtime victory over Team Gold.

  Ryan Pulock had the overtime winner for Team Black with Brett Kitt notching a hat-trick.

  Tim McGauley had three goals for Team Gold in the contest, which also included a scrap between second-year forwards John Quenneville and Jayce Hawryluk.

  The Wheat Kings' training camp continues Friday night with another scrimmage (6:30 p.m., Westman Communications Group Place).

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