HURRICANE SEASON: Eric Robinson heads up the ice in action for the Carolina Hurricanes. Former Princeton University star Robinson ’18 helped the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup this June. Forward Robinson tallied three goals and five assists in Carolina’s playoff run which saw it defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
By Justin Feil
Eric Robinson will have his day with the Stanley Cup next month.
The Princeton University graduate is a New Jersey native, and he’s planning to bring the Cup home to the Garden State to Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, where he learned to skate and play and his mother worked for 20 years, before moving on to the beach to celebrate with his wife and family and friends.
“The Cup has to travel, not only all over the country, but all over the world, so with scheduling and stuff like that, we’re grateful for any time we get with it,” said Robinson, a 2018 Princeton alum who hails from Bellmawr.
The Cup is the ultimate prize in the sport. Robinson became the first former Princeton player to earn the Stanley Cup as an active player on the roster. The 6’2, 220-pound forward helped Carolina defeat the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-2, in the best-of-seven finals series. The aftermath was even better than he’d imagined.
“I think the relief was kind of the feeling that I didn’t expect or I guess maybe the stress of the finals I didn’t expect because it was another level of stress and anxiety than from the rest of playoffs,” said Robinson, who tallied three goals and five assists in 19 games during Carolina’s playoff run. “During the finals you’re either dialed in during the game because every moment matters or you’re in between games thinking about what’s going to come the next day, so it’s kind of like you’re locked in for two full weeks during the finals and it’s not taking a breath and stress and anxiety the whole time. So to come out on top, it’s that joy and relief while at the same time. It’s a pretty special feeling.”
Robinson was so focused on preparing for Game 6 that he nearly forgot about his birthday. He became the first player in National Hockey League history to celebrate his birthday with a Stanley Cup win when Carolina defeated Las Vegas, 3-0, for the clincher on June 14.
“After the game, the guys sung to me there on the ice and I was like, it is my birthday,” said Robinson, who turned 31 that day. “I kind of forgot about it until that moment. So definitely a different birthday, but made it obviously my best. So really special.”
It’s not the first special win for Robinson. Eight years ago, he’d helped the Princeton men’s team win an ECAC Hockey crown, their first in a decade. It came only two years after they placed 12th in the ECAC standings, an enormous turnaround. With Carolina, he was part of a team that had been on the cusp of a title and added their second in franchise history. Reaching the highest level in both leagues has been important.
“I’m sure stacking them up against each other, this is kind of the dream for everyone as a kid and growing up playing hockey,” said Robinson. “This is definitely the ultimate prize, but at the time, I think the ECAC win was huge for us too and our school and both are fond memories and accomplishments I’m proud of for sure.”
He heard from his former Princeton teammates and coaches in the hours and day after winning the Stanley Cup. He’s the seventh former Tiger to win a Stanley Cup and third as a player.
“I’m very close and keep in touch with a lot of guys that I went and played with at Princeton,” said Robinson. “So lots of texts and calls and congratulations from people. I’m very grateful for my time I spent there and the relationships I built. So, it’s nice to hear from people and hopefully, be able to see a few of them here soon.”
Following the ECAC win and the conclusion of the season in the NCAA tournament, Robinson embarked on his NHL career. He played just one game after Princeton’s season concluded, but it was the start of what’s been a professional career with some tough moments as well as the triumphs like this year’s Stanley Cup win.
He played his first season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Cleveland Monsters as well as the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who had signed him as an undrafted free agent. He went on to play four season with the Blue Jackets, but in 2024 he was demoted to the Monsters.
“It was definitely a low point in my career,” said Robinson. “I’m surrounded by great people — my wife, my agent, my family — who kind of kept me level-headed, kept me afloat during that time, and even kept the belief in me, even if I lost it.”
After returning to the NHL club, the Blue Jackets traded him to Buffalo. He played 40 games for the Sabres before signing with Carolina going into the 2024-2025 season. After scoring 14 goals and having 18 assists in 82 games, he signed a new four-year deal with Carolina coming into this season and he contributed 12 goals and six assists in 67 regular-season games for the Hurricanes.
“I’m very grateful to the Carolina Hurricanes,” said Robinson. “The summer after that, to give me an opportunity not only with a contract, but to come in and to play and give me a big role and allow me to feel comfortable and feel
a part of something and
contribute, and then reward me with another contract with them.”
His first season with the Hurricanes was his most productive as a professional. His 32 points for Carolina eclipsed his 2021-2022 season in which he had 27 points for Columbus. He’s found his fit in Carolina.
“A lot of it’s probably style of play and their system and just fitting in that way,” said Robinson. “But it’s also just getting an opportunity and trying to take advantage. And I felt like, not this past season, but the year before in my first year at Carolina, I got an opportunity and was fortunate enough to take advantage and have a pretty good year. So it’s definitely both sides of it. It’s about fitting in with the team and playing to that style. And then if you do get that opportunity, being ready to take advantage.”
Robinson felt he was a part of something special when he stepped into the Hurricanes organization. Carolina advanced to the conference finals last year before being eliminated by Florida. This year, they took first in the Metropolitan Division and then swept through Ottawa and Philadelphia before defeating Montreal to reach the Stanley Cup finals. They went all the way for the first time since 2006.
“Carolina’s been kind of knocking at the door for a while now and I’m not sure, maybe adding a few pieces helped,” said Robinson. “Obviously, there were a few key free agent additions last summer, but I think that they were just ready. I think it was just our time. The guys who have been here a while have been building it for a while and they do things the right way and they work hard and are great people, so not really a more deserving group in my mind than the people who are part of this organization.”
The extended NHL season meant that Robinson missed out on Princeton’s Reunions again, but his alma mater is never far from his mind. It helped him develop into a better player and he’s now watching Princeton return to being a top-tier team. The Tigers reached the ECAC championship game before losing to Dartmouth in overtime under head coach
Ben Syer.
“I’ve been keeping up; I think that Benny’s done a really good job since coming in,” said Robinson. “He’s got the team on a good path here. I was able to get up to Princeton last summer and meet him and see some of the new facilities. I bring my daughter up there, which is really special because it’s a place my wife and I spent a lot of time at. And even this year, I think just with the way the schedules work out, we were still in the regular season when they were playing in the ECAC season so I was watching as much as I could and I watched the final game there. And they had a great season, came up a little bit short, but I think it’s a good sign of things to come in the future.”
As for Robinson’s future, it’s also looking bright. He’s found a team that can utilize his skillset and he can help win. He’ll next be trying to help Carolina do something that hasn’t been done since 2005 — a repeat NHL Stanley Cup champion. It’s something they are thinking about even as they celebrate the worldwide tour of the Cup won this year.
“The motivation has to be realizing how special it was and how unique it is to win,” said Robinson. “That’s got to kind of be what motivates you to want to do it again. It could be a grind, the summer is short, but when you realize how special it is, that kind of reminds you why you put in the work and why you do things right each day.”