Robbie Sutherland
Halifax’s own Robbie Sutherland left it all on the ice when he played for the Mooseheads from 1999-2002. The Halifax McDonald’s major midget product played key roles both offensively and defensively and made major contributions to the Mooseheads success during the teams run to the Memorial Cup Semi-Final in 2000.
Fast forward 14 years and Sutherland is living in Downtown Toronto, working as a sales consultant for KLS Martin, which deals with medical devices.
Speaking from his car on a stifling 27 degree day in southern Ontario, Sutherland says it’s a line of work that fascinates him.
“I’ve always been interested in health care, and I was working out west in Calgary for awhile when this opportunity popped up and that’s how I ended up (in Toronto),” he said, noting he has yet to settle down with family.
The self described gritty, two-way forward admits he feels extremely lucky to have been a part of the Mooseheads organization.
“It was pretty special, not everyone can say they got to suit up for their hometown team and Halifax is one of the best franchises in the Canadian Hockey League, so I kind of got the best of both worlds.”
The fans were quick to recognize Sutherland’s heart and soul style of play by naming him #11 on their 15 All-Time favourite players list in 2009.
“You know that meant a lot to me because there’s been quite a few guys to go through the Mooseheads system that have gone on to play in the NHL, so to be recognized as one of the top ones is really nice.”
Sutherland says the last goal he ever scored (and 52nd in a Halifax uniform) is one that stands out in his mind, and it was one that epitomized his gritty career with the Herd.
“It came against Cape Breton, I was playing with a broken hand and scored on Marc-Andre Fleury with only one hand (the broken one) holding the stick,” he said, adding that playing in the QMJHL was the experience of a lifetime.
“It was a great three years (in Halifax), I met a lot of great friends along the way and I just feel fortunate that I got to play there.”
Sutherland finished his Mooseheads career in the spring of 2002 after spending parts of three seasons with the Herd, and posting 117 career points.
He would go on to spend 4 years playing in the CIS with Acadia University and alongside former Halifax teammate Brandon Benedict.
Sutherland wrapped up his playing days in a stint with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League.
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