Colby Robak was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the second round (46th overall) of the 2008 NHL entry draft. After four seasons in the WHL Robak entered the AHL with Florida’s affiliate the Rochester Americans, where he registered 24 points in his rookie campaign. In 2011-2012 Robak played for the San Antonio Rampage recording 9 goals and 30 assists from the blueline and got his first taste of NHL action with 3 games for the Panthers. Recently I had the opportunity to ask the Rampage and Panther defenseman a few questions to help everyone get to know him, behind the scenes and off the ice.
Can you tell everyone a bit about yourself to start? Where you’re from, any favorite hobbies?
I come from a really small town called Gilbert Plains Manitoba, Canada population of about 700. I’m a huge animal lover so my main hobby is spending time with my dogs if I’m not at the gym or rink I’m spending time with the pups
Being drafted by Florida, can you explain how that felt to have your name called?
Hearing I got drafted was one of the greatest moments of my life it’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL and getting drafted is just a small step to making that dream a reality so knowing you’re headed in the right direction is a huge accomplishment and motive
After four years in the WHL you made the jump to the AHL. What was the transition like for you, at 6’3″ possibly one of the bigger guys in juniors moving into a league with veteran players?
I had a great group of coaches playing junior back in Brandon. Kelly McCrimmon has been so good at developing players in the western league a lot of big name guys have come from there. So the transition to the AHL was as easy and it could have been on me, obviously you’re playing against men rather than boys and the intensity is a lot higher that is what took me the most to get used to.
Last season Florida made the playoffs for the first time in a while, San Antonio also qualified for the post season. What was that like?
Getting a taste of the playoffs last year was definitely a great experience. The intensity from pre-season into regular season then the playoffs was a huge difference. Once do or die is added to the mix the pace of play is a lot greater and I had a blast being a part of it.
Whether in Juniors, the AHL or NHL do you have any favorite pranks? One you’ve pulled or had pulled on you? Or even just a good one that was memorable to you.
I think one of the best pranks I have ever seen was shaving cream on the shower towel. By the time he realized what was going on he was covered in shaving cream! The standard pie to the face during an interview is a classic too!
For those who may not know, you’re a dog guy, and have a pit bull. What’s his/her name?
I’m a huge dog lover I have two pit bulls a boy named Royce and a girl named Lexus. I have so much respect for the breed, they are very mislead and misunderstood and am doing my best to be an ambassador for the breed to help change the minds of people who think it’s the dogs fault as to why they have a bad rap.
Aside from the pit bull interest you’re a “tattoo enthusiast”, what’s your favorite piece and why?
I do have a little tattoo addiction my favorite piece is a big angel on my arm with my brother and parents initials in it, it kind of reminds me of home and where I come from.
What would we typically find if we were to look in your iPod?
I have a huge mix on my iPod [laughs] you can find everything. Mainly hip hop and country, though “Call me maybe” is in there and does get thrown on probably more than it should, but come on, it’s catchy!
Feel free to follow Colby Robak on Twitter (@C_Robak) as well as the Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers). I’d like to thank Colby personally and on behalf of RantSports for this opportunity, and for answering my questions. We all wish him luck in the upcoming season and in the future, which is definitely looking bright. Check back with www.RantSports.com for future articles on the Panthers and the rest of the NHL, as well as the rest of the professional sports teams.
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