2021 third-round pick, who had strong prospect showcase, has quietly put together resume that organization likes, ready to embrace Swede to come and enhance career in North America

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The goal scored by St. Louis Blues prospect Simon Robertsson scored on Friday in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase was a microcosm of just how far -- and quick -- the 21-year-old has risen up the organizational depth chart.

Robertsson took a pass from Marc-Andre Gaudet, got a shot off in the 3-on-3 overtime session against the Chicago Blackhawks. But no, he didn't give up on the play, instead, hitting the effort button, skating to the net, looking for a possible loose puck, which he got, and in effort-like style, swooped in and scooped the game-winner home in a 4-3 win.

It's the kind of play that catches a coaching staff's eye, an organization's eye, especially when the majority, if not all of them, were watching not far away above the bleachers at the USA Rink inside Centene Community Ice Center.

"I don't know. I just try to do my best," Robertsson said when asked. "I hope they see that I do everything I can, work hard."

Believe it, they do, and nobody saw it more so than Springfield coach and Blues prospect coach for the weekend, Steve Konowalchuk.

The Thunderbirds bench boss had this to say after Robertsson added two more assists on Sunday in a 6-2 win against the Minnesota Wild:

"Really good, really good," Konowalchuk said. "He looks like a guy that would just be fun to play with. He knows how to play the game, doesn't complicate the game. Made a couple elite passes though as well, so you could see him make those plays. Using him in different situations. Real solid hockey player."

The Blues grabbed Robertsson, who signed a three-year entry-level contract on May 1, in the third round (71st pick) of the 2021 NHL Draft after swapping picks (and adding a 2021 sixth-round pick) with the San Jose Sharks to grab the winger, but Blues fans probably haven't heard, or seen much of Robertsson, who has been honing his craft in Sweden. First with the Skelleftea organization, with Skelleftea AIK Jr., then with Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League, then with Vasteras IK if the HockeyAllsvenskan, then back to Skellefteå AIK to begin last season before being loaned to Brynäs IF of HockeyAllsvenskan, where Robertsson was a teammate with 2023 first-round pick and fellow Blues prospect Theo Lindstein, where the two won a championship and helped Lindstein and Brynäs IF get promoted to the SHL.

"It was a great time there," Robertsson said. "I didn't play that much in Skelleftea. I got some ice time in Brynäs with Theo, was there for like two months. It was so much fun. I got to play more and it was a great time."

And like Lindstein now, Otto Stenberg (25th pick, 2023) now and others that have preceded Robertsson in Europe, he was able to get a leg up playing with grown men to prepare for what's to come in North America.

"I think so. I played senior hockey for three, four years now, so it feels like I know how to play smart when I try to do something," Robertsson said. "I've been playing fourth line over there for like four years now. I kind of know that role."

From the games this past weekend, Robertsson has the workmanlike capabilities to make it over here, but the complementary skill is an ingredient that could fuel more opportunity should Robertsson put the work in, which he seems more than willing to do.

It was evidenced in the prospect showcase helping make linemates Dalibor Dvorsky (10th pick, 2023) and Juraj Pekarcik (third round, 2023) better players. And after all, Robertsson was a teammate of Vancouver Canucks superstar Elias Pettersson on Sweden's 2022-23 World Junior Championship squad.

"He has a really good shot," Dvorsky said. "He (makes) great plays and he's strong on the puck as well."

Pekarcik added, "He was really good out there. I think he's really strong on the puck. He's a really good player and also he's a really good guy."

Robertsson seemed more than willing to drag his teammates into the battles throughout the weekend.

"He's competitive and he's hard on pucks and with all that, has the skill and smarts to play with certain skill players," Konowalchuk said.

Robertsson, who had 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in a combined 39 regular-season games with Skellefteå AIK and Brynäs IF before adding two goals, two assists in a combined 18 postseason games, feels he gained the motivation to improve his game when he switched teams.

"I think the main thing is I got more confidence," Robertsson said. "I go down and I got a big role right away on the top team in Allsvenskan. I think that was a big confidence boost for me. When I got back, felt like I kept building on that. It was an important thing that I went down to play in Allsvenskan."

Robertsson will be at the main training camp when it opens on Thursday, and he will begin his quest for a job in the NHL. More than likely, it won't come this year, which will likely begin in Springfield, but the player seems determined with the right attitude to begin his journey the right way and work his way to being relevant in the eyes of the organization. Being relevant has already started.

"I hope so," Robertsson said. "I think I have the skill to play in the power play and in an offensive line, but I think I have both elements. I think I can play smart and focus on the defense and try to be offensive too.

"They want me to play and I'm so happy to get the chance to come over here. I've been wanting to come over here since I got drafted. They thought it was the right time now. I'm really excited for the season."