By Rory Zeman and Owen Fugit

Media Production Editor and Editor-in-Chief

Los Gatos High School senior Brayden Robinson is skating his way through his final few months of high school. From rigorous classes at school to a demanding schedule at work and for hockey, Robinson is poised to end his time at LGHS on a high note.

Starting hockey later than most junior players did not hinder Robinson’s aspirations, as he made the LGHS hockey team in his sophomore year after a brief hiatus as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. However, Robinson didn’t stop there, as he plays club hockey for the Santa Clara Blackhawks and recently participated in a Colorado State hockey camp. Robinson helped the LGHS team make it all the way to the state championship, where they unfortunately lost in overtime. His club team also found success despite a disappointing end to the season, as they missed going to the playoffs by only one point.

As for his college career, Robinson is going to continue to bring the same intensity he had throughout high school. Robinson, after amazing performances in his Colorado State University (CSU) hockey camp, believes he has “a pretty good chance to make one of their teams” and wants to continue to play club hockey throughout college. As for his college decision, Robinson landed on CSU after a tough decision between that school and Michigan State. He narrowed it down to these two colleges because of the appeal of their colder climates and more hockey-centered cultures, citing that “I don’t really like the weather in California. I like colder weather. Colorado is not too far away. We’ve got a lot of family friends there.” Robinson’s final choice to attend CSU ultimately came down to the relative proximity and the cost, as he earned “a nice Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship there, and…was looking to go out of state.”

Outside of school, Robinson works two hockey-related jobs – one as a coach for younger students and the other as an employee at a hockey retail store. He explained that “The kids are always kind of crazy, kind of difficult to handle sometimes, but I enjoy coaching.” Robinson elaborated, “I think it’s nice to kind of teach them how to play and just try to inspire the next generation of hockey players. I started pretty late, but these kids are starting when they’re much younger, and they definitely have a better chance to go and be better than me.”
Reflecting on his time at LGHS, Robinson said, “I came here from Dartmouth and knowing literally zero people, except for a couple people from my one year of online school at CT English,” and enjoyed “starting from zero and meeting a lot of people, and making a lot of new friends.” One of Robinson’s personal goals for his college career is to “stay on the hockey team for all four years just because I enjoy playing it.” He reasoned, “It’ll keep me active, it’ll keep me fit.” 

With hockey at the forefront of his ambitions, Robinson is sure to go far physically, mentally, and academically at CSU.