Carolina Hurricanes forward Justin Robidas will be making his NHL debut tonight as the team takes on the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
The Canes recalled the 2021 fifth-round pick yesterday in relation to both Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov being questionable to go Friday and it was confirmed during morning skate that neither forward would be going tonight.
So in comes the rookie, the third to make their NHL debut for the Hurricanes this season (Juha Jaaska, Ryan Suzuki).
"He's a great kid and he's kind of earned the callup," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "That's kind of how we look at it. Had a good year, did everything that they asked him to do down there and I think we're rewarding him with this callup. It's well deserved.
"He's earned it by the way he came in this summer. He put in the work and just had a solid, solid season. So I'm happy for him."
Robidas is also another of NHL lineage, as his father, Stephane, played 15 years in the league. He's now an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens and according to FanDuel Sports Network's Hanna Yates, is trying to make it to Detroit in time for the game.
"Hopefully he can get here," Brind'Amour said. "They played last night and they don't play tonight so he should get here. Figure it out, because these are special moments in his life and in the family's life. Hopefully it has a good outcome."
The 22-year-old centerman had a strong first AHL season, with 17 goals and 48 points in 65 games.
Despite being listed at just 5-foot-8, Robidas is a relentless worker who makes an impact at 5v5, the power play and the penalty kill.
"From his work ethic to his defensive play and creating offense, he's really grown over the last two years," said Hurricanes AGM Darren Yorke to team reporter Walt Ruff. "He has developed into a consistent offensive driver, as well as a trustworthy defensive player and leader."
He'll be debuting on the fourth line alongside Mark Jankowski and Tyson Jost.
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