Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

COLIN 'TOLEDO' ROBINSON

Long-time Blazers trainer prepares to step away from hockey

Mar 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Laundry. One of the unseen parts of the job the man known as Toledo has been doing, day in and day out, for twenty-nine years. The dressing room is his domain.

However, after nearly three decades in the WHL, Colin Robinson will be on the Blazers’ bench for the final time this Saturday in Prince George.

“It’s sad, but it’s happy,” Toledo reflects. “After twenty-nine great years, plus my time in junior ‘A’ – as I’ve said before, I’ve done hockey since I was 12 years old, so I’ve always been with a hockey team, always been connected to it. I’m excited to try a new chapter and see what happens.”

Blazers’ associate coach Don Hay first worked with Toledo in Vancouver, where Robinson was the trainer from 2001-2005. Hay has seen the value someone like Toledo adds to an organization, as a critical link between the players and coaching staff.

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“A trainer is such a valuable person in your organization, Hay says. “For a lot of the players, he’s their confidante, he can tell if they’re having a good day or a bad day and he can give us a little bit of a nudge. You know, so-and-so might need a little bit of a hug today or so-and-so has got a problem he’s got to deal with.”

There are ups and downs to the job. Long bus trips and time away from the family have contributed to Toledo’s decision, But he’ll miss the excitement that comes with being on the bench.

“Obviously, I’m going to miss the games, the exciting games,” Robinson says. “The best Blazers game ever is (2012 Western Conference finals) game six, for, an amazing game against Portland. That’s what I’m going miss for sure.”

While it’s tough losing someone with that amount of experience, the staff is excited for their long-time colleague.

“Colin has been a very valuable guy. He’s played a lot of different roles within his trainer’s role,” Hay explains. “We’re going to miss him and we hope all the best for him.”

Hockey has allowed Robinson to connect with generations of athletes, chasing dreams of playing pro. While he’s thankful for what the game has allowed him to do, he’s also ready for a new challenge, in a position with Interior Health at Royal Inland Hospital.

“[It’s] something that I’ve always wanted to do, ever since I was in high school,” Robinson says. “I’ve always wanted to work in a hospital setting and the opportunity came and I had to make a tough decision. I’ve passed up on it before and now just felt like it was the right time.”

The Blazers plan to honour their long-time trainer before Friday night’s game at the Sandman Centre before one last road trip to Prince George on Saturday for his final game on the bench.