Robidas puts disappointments behind him in Dallas

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2007

By Lucas Aykroyd

Imagine you’re the top defenseman in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but you’re also the last one cut from Canada’s 1997 World Junior Championship roster. Imagine you start your NHL career with the legendary Montreal Canadiens in your home province, but end up being let go in the 2002 NHL Waiver Draft after two seasons.

That was real life for Stephane Robidas. It’s taken quite a while for the Sherbrooke native to establish himself as a respected NHLer. But although some people dread turning 30, Robidas will have plenty to celebrate when he hits that milestone on March 3. Last month, he avoided unrestricted free agency this summer by signing a three-year, $4.5-million contract extension with the Dallas Stars.

“It’s been a good season so far,” said Robidas. “I’m playing more than I ever have since I first came to Dallas in 2002. The coaching staff has confidence in me.”

Partnered with Jaroslav Modry, Robidas could easily match or exceed his career-best 20 points from 2005-06 this season. He’s been averaging 18 minutes of ice time per night. And though smaller than most NHL defensemen, the 180-cm, 86-kg veteran also hasn’t been afraid to throw his weight around. He leads Dallas with nearly 100 bodychecks.

At the 41-game mark, the Stars were solidly in the playoff hunt and on track for 102 points. They’ve tailed off a bit after winning 11 out of their first 13 games, but that’s understandable, considering December injuries have sidelined key forwards like Mike Modano, Eric Lindros, and captain Brenden Morrow.

“With the players we have right now, I think we’re doing a pretty good job,” said Robidas. “Until those guys get back in the lineup, it’s up to us to raise our level and get some momentum.”

Momentum is exactly what Robidas gained from playing for the DEL’s Frankfurt Lions during the NHL lockout. The swift-skating rearguard flourished under coach Rich Chernomaz, ranking among the league’s top scorers with 47 points in 51 games. He did everything but defend Frankfurt’s 2004 championship title.

“It’s not always easy for a North American guy to go to Europe,” said Robidas. “Everything’s different over there. But my teammates were really good to me, and they have great fans in Frankfurt. I’ll never forget it. Maybe I’ll go back over there when my NHL career ends. That year gave me a boost, reminding that I can handle a lot of minutes and contribute on the power play and penalty kill.”

Robidas had his best training camp ever with Dallas in the fall of 2005, and he’s never looked back since. Granted, he doesn’t put up the big numbers he did in Germany or with the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes, but hockey people now recognize his abilities, regardless of whether his name makes headlines or not.

For instance, back in 2001, Robidas was a role player when he made his IIHF World Championship debut with Canada in Hannover. But at his second world tourney in Latvia last year, he was named an alternate captain, wearing a letter alongside superstars like Brendan Shanahan and Sidney Crosby.

Now Robidas must try to translate his success abroad into Stanley Cup glory with Dallas: “Every year this organization tries to put the best team possible on the ice. Even if we have a great regular season, like last year [with 112 points], if we don’t do well in the playoffs, it’s not good for the organization. So we’re all driving hard in this dressing room. We want to go as far as we can and take the Cup. That’s our only goal.”