Forward Caly Robertson joins Leeds Chiefs for Elland Road opener

INCOMING: Forward Caly Robertson, seen in action last season for Kirkcaldy Kestrels, has joined Leeds Chiefs. Picture courtesy of Jillian McFarlane.

Leeds Chiefs urged to make Elland Road place to fear

The 19-year-old Scottish forward left NIHL National playoff rivals Bracknell Bees earlier this week, with his destination being confirmed on Thursday night as Elland Road.

Robertson started the season with Milton Keynes Lightning before switching to Bracknell in December, where he posted 13 points in 11 games, including eight goals.

Leeds Chiefs' player-coach, Sam Zajac. Picture courtesy of Steve Brodie

Chiefs’ player-coach Zajac tried to sign the GB Under-20 forward when he left Lightning, so was not going to pass up on a second opportunity to bring him to West Yorkshire.

“We already know he can perform at this level,” said Zajac. “We jumped at the chance when we knew he was available again.

“When he left MK we spoke quite a lot with him but he was speaking to us and Bracknell and a couple of other teams too, and where we were at in terms of the rink and all the away games coming up it just wasn’t a great time, it was just a case of bad timing for both parties.

“He is a very talented player and is somebody who we feel can slide right into our top six and have an immediate impact.”

Prior to his summer move to Milton Keynes, Robertson had spent two seasons in the Elite League. The first came with the now-defunct Edinburgh Capitals where he scored two goals and an assist in 37 appearances.

The Capitals’ close-season demise in 2018 prompted a move to Fife Flyers where he made 41 appearances under Todd Dutiaume.

Robertson is the third young, Scottish forward to sign up with the Chiefs in the last two months, Lewis Houston being first to join several former Solway Sharks team-mates in West Yorkshire before Connor Henderson followed suit two weeks ago.

All possess similar qualities as far as Zajac is concerned as he pieces together a roster he believes is capable of making a late push for the playoffs.

“He skated with us on Wednesday night in Blackburn and he showed right away how skilled he is,” added Zajac. “He’s another smaller, young guy who is a great skater.

“We’ve kind of gone towards that more and more as the season has gone on, we’ve got these younger guys in who can all move so well out there and in hockey, if you can’t skate, you’re going to get left behind

“We’re always looking to try and get faster where we can and he’s just another part of that - a great skater, great hands and good offensive instincts. He’ll slot straight in and be a threat straight from the off for us.”