Apr 28, 2017

Robertson Cup begins in 2 weeks; Division Finals schedule announced

APRIL 27, 2017

The Final 8: Division Finals begin on Friday. Watch all the action live on HockeyTV.

The 2017 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Robertson Cup National Championship begins two weeks from today and will be played at the Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Center in Duluth, Minnesota, from May 11-14, 2017.
The NAHL has announced the schedule for the Robertson Cup Division Finals, which will take place from April 28-May 8. The four NAHL divisional playoff champions will then advance to the Robertson Cup Championship. Once the four NAHL Divisional Playoff Champions are determined, clubs will be seeded 1-4 based upon their finish in the NAHL regular-season standings. The game schedule will be as follows: The #1 Seed will face the #4 seed in a best of three series. The #2 seed will face the #3 seed in a best of three series. The two series winners will advance onto a one-game championship to determine the Robertson Cup National Champion.
All games will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV
For more information on the event, please visit http://www.robertsoncup.com
Click here for the playoff bracket
Central Division Finals (best of 5 series)
#2 Minnesota Wilderness vs. #4 Aberdeen Wings
Game 1: April 28, Aberdeen @ Wilderness, 7:05pm
Game 2: April 29, Aberdeen @ Wilderness, 7:05pm
Game 3: May 5, Wilderness @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm
Game 4: May 6, Wilderness @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm*
Game 5: May 8, Aberdeen @ Wilderness, 7:05pm*
*if necessary
East Division Finals (best of 5 series)
#1 Aston Rebels vs. #3 New Jersey Titans
Game 1: April 28, New Jersey @ Aston, 7:00pm
Game 2: April 29, New Jersey @ Aston, 7:00pm
Game 3: May 5, Aston @ New Jersey, 7:30pm
Game 4: May 6, Aston @ New Jersey, 7:30pm*
Game 5, May 7, New Jersey @ Aston, 7:00pm*
*if necessary
Midwest Division Finals (best of 5 series)
#1 Janesville Jets vs. #2 Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Game 1: April 28, Fairbanks @ Janesville, 7:00pm
Game 2: April 29, Fairbanks @ Janesville, 7:00pm
Game 3: If Janesville is up 2-0, May 5, Janesville @ Fairbanks, 7:30pm
Game 3: If series is tied 1-1, April 30, Fairbanks @ Janesville, 5:00pm
Game 3: If Fairbanks is up 2-0, April 30, Fairbanks @ Janesville, 5:00pm
Game 4: May 5 or 6, Janesville @ Fairbanks, 7:30pm*
Game 5: May 6 or 7, Janesville @ Fairbanks, 7:30pm*
*if necessary
South Division Finals (best of 5 series)
#1 Lone Star Brahmas vs. #3 Corpus Christi IceRays
Game 1: April 28, Corpus Christi @ Lone Star, 7:30pm
Game 2: April 29, Corpus Christi @ Lone Star, 7:30pm
Game 3: May 2, Lone Star @ Corpus Christi, 7:15pm**
Game 4: May 3, Lone Star @ Corpus Christi, 7:15pm***
Game 5: May 6, Corpus Christi @ Lone Star, 7:30pm*
*if necessary
**Corpus Christi games on May 2 & 3 to be played at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in McKinney, Texas
The Robertson Cup is awarded to the national playoff champion of the NAHL. The oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States, the Robertson Cup is named in honor of Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in the NAHL and youth hockey in the state of Michigan. Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pools Saints when they won a record seven straight championships from 1976-83.
One of the things the NAHL does better than any other junior league is seeing their players earn an NCAA opportunity while playing in the NAHL. To date, over 190 NAHL players have already made NCAA commitments during the 2016-17 season. The NAHL’s Robertson Cup Championship will play a big role in that success, with dozens of players earning an NCAA opportunity following their participation in the event.
Built in 2008, the Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Center serves as the home of Duluth’s High School Hockey, the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association and the Dave Goldberg family branch of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland. The center is a tribute to the rich hockey tradition in the area with numerous displays of Duluth’s hockey history. The facility has two ice rinks (Sill and Seitz Arenas). The Robertson Cup Championship will be held in Sill Arena, which accommodates up to 1,800 spectators.
The event will be held in cooperation with the 2017 NAHL Future Prospects Combine. Entering its fourth year in 2017, the Combine will accept applications from all players with birth years from 2001-04. The players will be introduced to and provided with a weekend that involves the ‘NAHL Experience,’ which will consist of competitive hockey, education of the future levels of hockey, academic preparation for NCAA hockey and exposure to professional, college and junior scouts. Players can register for the combine here.
The Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth Downtown is the official host hotel of the 2017 NAHL Robertson Cup. Located at tip of Lake Superior in the heart of downtown Duluth, the Holiday Inn & Suites is Duluth’s largest full-service hotel. Amenities include: complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, expanded 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, two swimming pools, complimentary covered parking, and skywalk access to downtown Duluth and Canal Park. The Holiday Inn & Suites will host teams, staff, fans and scouts, as well as, serve as host to the 2017 Robertson Cup Luncheon. Rooms can booked at the special Robertson Cup Rate of $125 per night.  Reservations can be made by calling (218) 722-1202 and asking for the Robertson Cup Rate.