In backstopping the MJHL’s Portage Terriers to a Royal Bank Cup title last year, goaltender Zac Robidoux learned what is required to capture a national championship.
“What I learned was what it takes to win,” says Robidoux. “It’s more than just showing up to the rink, going out and playing. It’s a mindset to doing the little things right every day.”
As the SJHL playoffs approach, the Flin Flon Bombers are certainly glad they acquired Robidoux, 20, in the offseason.
He has a 19-13-0-0-3 record with five shutouts. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder also has a 2.79 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.
Beyond the numbers, it is Robidoux’s proven ability to win that has the Bombers looking forward to the postseason.
“He has got that winning experience,” head coach Mike Reagan says. “He is a guy who doesn’t get too low and doesn’t get too high. I think that is a reason why he has had success.”
When asked what he likes about being a goaltender, Robidoux replies: “I enjoy the pressure; being counted on when the game is on the line is an amazing feeling when you’re able to capitalize.”
Of course goaltenders can be the scapegoat as easily as the hero. Robidoux says he handles that stressful situation by embracing the pressure.
“Pressure has the ability to bring out the best in people,” he says. “Instead of being afraid of pressure, if you embrace it you can use it to your advantage.”
Robidoux’s outlook on his role with the club is one of the reasons the Bombers like him.
“It is such a difficult position because it is so mental,” Reagan says. “When players, coaches, fans get down a goaltender – the position is already difficult enough and then they have to worry about what everyone thinks. We think he has the right attitude towards everything.”
A Winnipeg product, Robidoux split his first two junior seasons between the Terriers and the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and Lethbridge Hurricanes.
After being released by the Hurricanes in January 2015, Robidoux served mostly in a backup role in Portage before dominating in the postseason. He had a 1.75 GAA and .923 save percentage during the Royal Bank Cup tournament.
This year’s edition of the Bombers reminds him a little of that Terriers team.
“The similarity I see is our scoring ability,” Robidoux says. “Last year we had four solid lines that could put up goals for us, and I see that in our team this year.”
The Bombers were expecting to have Simon Hofley back between the pipes this season. When Hofley opted to join Canisius College, an NCAA Division I school in Buffalo, New York, Flin Flon began seeking a netminder who could get the big win when needed. The Terriers approached the Bombers about a deal for Robidoux.
“We looked at the experience that Zac had with Portage last year,” Reagan says. “It was a no-brainer.”
Robidoux has fit in well and enjoyed the season, especially the Flin Flon fans.
“Every game, you know there will be a lot of people there,” he says. “It’s also a really good hockey community. The town lives and breathes hockey, so to me being able to play in a community like that has been awesome.”
