Herb Robert had a great showing in his first season with the Vancouver Whalers. In 50 games, he managed to pick up 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) which was good enough to lead all rookies in the Simulation Major Junior Hockey League (SMJHL). Other notable statistics from his first season are his finishing 7th in the SMJHL in shooting percentage, 10th in the SMJHL in points among right wingers, 1st in the SMJHL in plus minus, and a rookie of the year nomination. It was well-known that the Seattle Riot were hoping to draft the player third in the S42 Simulation Hockey League (SHL) Entry Draft. However, there were rumblings that Robert would be picked up second overall, as teams were vying for the draft pick. Ultimately, the Riot were able to secure the pick and add Herb Robert to their team.

We were able to speak to some members of the Seattle Riot to get their thoughts on their newest teammate.

"I'm super stoked that the Seattle Riot were able to land Herb. He's one of the best young players out there and if I had to bet, we are going to see him contributing in the big leagues sooner rather than later. I'm not going to be around forever, so it's nice to see that the Riot are investing in highly skilled offensive guys. Guys like Herb are going to be the foundation for a Seattle dynasty." - Louie Garrett

"[Herb Robert] is great. I didn't expect him to come at all. He even has a secret identity. His abilities to skate and move the puck is amazing. He's amazing on defence, or winger, or center. I don't know his position, but he's a right handed or left handed or ambidextrous. So glad to have him." - Clint Eastwood

"Herb's name has come up a lot leading up to the draft and while I have never seen him play, I know he will be a good addition to our pipeline. Seattle has been adding a lot of defenders so it is nice to see them grab a skilled forward this time around." - Liam O'Callaghan

“We’re very excited to add Herb Robert to the Riot. Obviously it’s not every day that you get to add such a skilled winger to your team. Watching him in his rookie year in Vancouver, I was simply stunned. Taking him 2nd overall seemed like a no-brainer, either. Both my head GM and I were incredibly impressed by his play, and we can’t wait to see what he brings once he’s fully ready.” - Alexander Zajac

"When I heard who Seattle picked at 2nd overall, I could not believe it - Herb Roberts! Unfortunately I could not be there to witness the whole event live, but if only I could have been, I would have tried to maybe signal to the Seattle GM´s somehow: Not Herb, No to Roberts or at very least rushed to the stage moments after they said his name to try and get them to change their mind. It´s too late now of course, but I will still say that Herb looked really nice on the Riots jersey and I guess he got some potential as a player. Will be interesting to see how the next couple years go!” - Ensio Kalju

We hooked up with Herb Robert earlier, and sent him to talk to his two current Vancouver Whaler teammates who were drafted to Seattle with him.

Herb Robert (HR): Hey, everyone, it's Buck Maverick! I've got a few questions for you, if you don't mind.
Buck Maverick (BM): Go for it.
HR: What were you thinking as the draft approached? Were you hoping to be drafted anywhere in particular? Or with any of your teammates from Vancouver?
BM: I wasn't thinking much, really. I'll get drafted somewhere, maybe play another season in the juniors and start my career from there. I was thinking I'd be a second round pick, that's about all. I didn't have any preference for where to go, a team is a team and I just worry about my own player. It's cool I got to go somewhere with a bunch of other Vancouver guys, but I still haven't really been active in the locker room there, so I don't know most of them really.
HR: Interesting...well, were there any events that surprised you as the draft unfolded?
BM: I wasn't paying attention, I was playing some video games with my friends and tabbed out around an hour after the draft started and I saw I was drafted. I joined the locker room and said hi, then I went back to gaming. Kind of hard to be surprised when you aren't paying attention.
HR: Ya, I feel you. I wasn't around either, I was at a bar. Kind of wish I was there, but it's fine. I assume you'll be back in Vancouver this coming season, what are you hoping to work on, or show to the Seattle management, in hopes of being called up?
BM: Ya, I think that I'm going back down for another season. I'm just going to continue grinding away. I plan to work mostly on the defensive side of things for a while with defence and puck handling, not too worried about the offensive stuff until I get those looking good. I'm not necessarily worried about being called up or not, I just do what I do and I will get a shot.
HR: Awesome, well I'm glad you're able to join me on the team. I look forward to another great season with you in Vancouver! Thanks, man. Oh look, Noah Nowes!

Noah Nowes (NN): Hey, what's up, Herb?
HR: Just doing some post-draft interviews. Care to spare a moment?
NN: Sure!
HR: How do you feel about being drafted to the Riot?
NN: I'm good with it, samee actually used to be my GM for the GOMHL for a few seasons and I know quite a few of the players on there, so I think it'll be a pretty good place to be. Hopefully I can help them get on track for a cup haha
HR: Well, we're on the same team. So I hope we can get a few Cups together! Were you hanging out with Tokek Takshak during the draft? Rumour has it that you're pretty good friends.
NN: Well, sort of, we were both on discord and on the draft stream at the time, and yeah we're pretty good friends irl. He was the one who got me to do sim hockey in the first place, actually.
HR: Cool, it's nice to be able to share these experiences with a good friend! Is there anything you want Seattle Riot fans, players, and management to know?
NN: Im off school now so I should be able to have a lot more time to collect TPE now, my next few seasons should be better than my first TPE-wise.
HR: Awesome, well there you have it. Noah Nowes, one of the newest members of the Seattle Riot! Until next time, I'm Herb Robert. See you on the ice!

It will definitely be interesting to see how this young player develops. Will he be a new star in the Simulation Hockey League, or will he burn out? Only time will tell.