Johnny Gaudreau insists he has always looked up to Buddy Robinson.
The high school picture of the two besties floating around online proves it.
In a photo reminiscent of Buddy the Elf with his diminutive colleagues, Robinson is seen congratulating Gaudreau after a goal almost a decade ago while playing high school hockey together at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey.
The disparity in size was every bit as significant then as it is now. Now in their mid-20s, Gaudreau is generously listed at five-foot-nine, while Robinson’s six-foot-six frame tips the scales at 231 pounds – 74 pounds heavier than his Jersey pal.
"It was my freshman year and his junior or senior year and we played on the same line – my dad was the coach," beamed Gaudreau, who was in Robinson’s wedding party last year and counts him amongst his best friends. (Even their brothers are tight).
"I played with him when I was five and he was seven. He was a guy I was always working out with and skating with in the summers, trying to be as good as, or work as hard as, him.
"I don’t know where it surfaced from but it’s a great photo. We’ll have to recreate one wearing Flames logos."
The duo’s dream of playing together in the show was bolstered this summer when the man who appears able to do it all on the ice added "agent" to his list of accomplishments off it.
"Johnny was part of the process when free agency started and the talking period opened up," smiled Robinson, 26, who attracted plenty of attention after scoring 25 times for the Manitoba Moose, adding 28 assists.
"He was back and forth with me, telling me, ‘you have to talk to Calgary.’"
Gaudreau’s involvement proved instrumental in the two-year, two-way deal Robinson inked.
"He was telling me what was offered from other teams and I thought he could do much better than that," chuckled Gaudreau.
"I know what kind of player he is – I’ve played with him for like 15 summers and my dad coached him growing up. I called him and called the guys over here and told them to ‘relax a bit and don’t jump the gun.’
"The next thing you know he’s in Calgary and he’s playing really well. I’m happy for him and that he’s with the Flames. Hopefully we’ll get to play alongside each other."
Did Gaudreau get a finder’s fee?
"I don’t know if he needs a fee," laughed Flames GM Brad Treliving.
"I was going to see if he’d give a fee back to me – ‘I’ll bring your buddy in for a small fee.’"
Treliving said his scouts had liked Robinson’s game for several years, dating back to when he played often against Stockton with San Jose.
"He’s a big man, but he can move," said Treliving.
"He’s had a real good camp. We were real aggressive to sign him and gave him two years. I like what we’ve seen here. The encouraging thing is we’ve got a lot of guys making cases now and we’ve only got so many seats. Some guys maybe get their shot later."
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Indeed, the Flames ran out of seats for Robinson Wednesday when the club placed Robinson and four other players on waivers for the purposes of sending him to their Stockton affiliate. Assuming no team claims him, he’ll get prime minutes on the farm with an eye on a promotion.
A towering right-winger who could bring much-needed size to a Flames roster that got considerably smaller this summer, Robinson will fight to prove he’s worthy of being a call-up should the need arise.
"I’m a bigger guy so I’m just trying to fill that role for them as a fourth-line right-winger that can bring a lot of energy, chip in offensively, kill penalties and be responsible defensively," said Robinson, who had been staying at Gaudreau’s Calgary home throughout camp while posting three assists in four games.
"There’s no hiding the size I have – six-foot-six, 230 pounds stands out on paper and I think I can use my size in the best way. I feel I can play any kind of role here. It’s a lot easier to block shots when you’re this big."
Five years removed from a stint with Lake Superior State University, Robinson spent most of his AHL time with Binghampton, appearing in just seven games with the Ottawa Senators. With last year being his breakout season, he feels close to being able to make the jump. He played well in camp with various linemates, including Dillon Dube and Andrew Mangiapane.
No regrets in taking Gaudreau’s advice and help signing in Calgary.
"We thought it was a good opportunity for me and an opportunity like this doesn’t come along very often in pro sports where you get to play with a great friend at the highest level," said Robinson.
"I’m just trying to make an impression and make that a reality one day."
That reality might also include working together, at the very least, as ambassadors for the Jersey shore.
"Johnny bought a house this summer in Avalon, New Jersey – it’s pretty nice," said Robinson, who spent the bulk of his summer hanging there with Gaudreau, their brothers and other pals.
"All our buddies go down there and have a great time – it keeps us pretty close. It’s a fun time and I recommend to anyone who has not been to Jersey to come down and have a great time with us. We’ll get you a room in his place."
