When all-Canadian linebacker Layne Hull graduated from the program at the end of last season, the Okanagan Sun had lost a level of both leadership and skill not easily replaced.
And while Hull will no doubt be missed, the addition of Shaun Robinson to the Sun defense for the 2017 B.C. Football Conference season has made the departure just that much more bearable.
General manager Jay Christensen expects Robinson, a 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker from Halifax, to make an immediate and significant impact with the Sun.
91裸聊视频淎lready he brings leadership to the team,91裸聊视频� Christensen said of Robinson on Sunday, the third day of the club91裸聊视频檚 main training camp. 91裸聊视频淵ou can see him on the field talking to the other guys and he kind of becomes a little bit of a coach on the field, I think that91裸聊视频檚 going to be a huge benefit for the defense. Anytime you can bring outside experience it91裸聊视频檚 a help.
91裸聊视频淭he thing you immediately notice is his quickness to the ball,91裸聊视频� Christensen added. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 going to be a disruptive force no doubt, he91裸聊视频檒l cause havoc for a lot of offenses in this league. If you do that, it certainly helps all our guys on the field.91裸聊视频�
Robinson started for two seasons at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, N.B., including 2014 when the Mounties went a perfect 8-0 in conference play.
Robinson began last season in the BCFC with the Westshore Rebels, but after two games decided it wasn91裸聊视频檛 the right fit and decided to return home.
This season, itching to make a return to the field, Robinson looked back west to Kelowna where former Mt. Allison teammates Kian Ishani and Robbie Rodrigues had both played for the Sun in 2016.
After a positive conversation with head coach Ben Macauley and high recommendations from both Ishani and Rodrigues, it was more than Robinson needed to be sold on the Sun.
91裸聊视频淐oach Ben was so straightforward, an upbeat guy, and that91裸聊视频檚 what I wanted,91裸聊视频� Robinson said. 91裸聊视频淚 appreciated how honest he was, where I91裸聊视频檇 be with this program. He really sold me on Kelowna and how beautiful it is. I91裸聊视频檓 loving it so far and am ready to get at it.91裸聊视频�
And Ben Macauley is clearly sold on Robinson who he expects to challenge for top defensive player honours, not only in the BCFC but in all of Canadian junior football. He also believes Robinson91裸聊视频檚 influence will make the Sun a better team as whole.
Without having played a single down with the Sun, expectations of Robinson are high. But the 21-year-old linebacker is quick to embrace every one.
91裸聊视频淚 always expect myself to be the best when I91裸聊视频檓 playing, that91裸聊视频檚 always ongoing in my head,91裸聊视频� said Robinson. 91裸聊视频淭here are solid people on this team, we can be as good as we want to be, and I want to be the best teammate I can be for these guys. I want to do the same for myself, so it works hand in hand.91裸聊视频�
Robinson91裸聊视频檚 stay with the Rebels last season may have been short but his impact was considerable. At the time of his departure91裸聊视频攁nd for another two weeks following91裸聊视频擱obinson was the BCFC91裸聊视频檚 leading tackler.
Robinson won91裸聊视频檛 have to wait long to see his former team as the Sun takes on the defending conference champs from Westshore in the season opener Saturday, July 27 at the Apple Bowl.
While Robinson harbours no ill will towards the Rebels, he promises to be in full attack mode when he takes to the field against his ex-teammates and coaches.
91裸聊视频淚 appreciate the players and coaches over there, they showed me a lot of love out there, but I91裸聊视频檓 with the Sun now,91裸聊视频� said Robinson. 91裸聊视频淔ootball91裸聊视频檚 football, I91裸聊视频檓 going to come after them and compete.91裸聊视频�
As for his expectations for his new teammates in 2017, Robinson said the Sun should be the BCFC91裸聊视频檚 team to beat.
91裸聊视频淗opefully we91裸聊视频檒l take it to every team this season, it doesn91裸聊视频檛 matter who,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檒l hopefully put more points up, stop them from scoring and bring that (Canadian championship) ring here.91裸聊视频�
