CSNBayArea.com reflects on the fact that it was Jan. 8, 1973 when legendary NHL defenseman Larry Robinson began a Hall of Fame career with the Montreal Canadians.
Forty years and nine Stanley Cup rings later, the Sharks’ associate coach, who joined the team last summer from New Jersey, is anxious to start the 2013 season as part of a revamped staff under Todd McLellan.
“It’s been a long time coming, and I’m sitting here looking forward to a new beginning,” Robinson said on Tuesday at Sharks Ice. “Basically, we’ve been just sitting here staring at each other, waiting for it to start.”
Robinson has been labeled as the Sharks’ biggest offseason acquisition, something not often said about an assistant coach. His track record speaks for itself, as Robinson won six championships as a player, three as a coach and nearly captured a tenth overall as an assistant with New Jersey last June. The Devils lost to the Los Angeles Kings in six games in the Stanley Cup Final.
And just where does he keep his nine Stanley Cup rings, the first of which came in 1972-73 and most recent in 2003.
“They’re so damn big I don’t even wear them,” he said. “I keep them in the safe deposit box, but I’ve given a bunch to my family and my son. We’re saving some for the grandkids now. Hopefully we can get a 10th so I can have one.”