Press Release

Luke Robinson of Air Force is 2024 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award Winner

Friday, April 12, 2024

Senior defenseman Luke Robinson (Nashville, TN) of the United States Air Force Academy ice hockey team has been named the winner of the 2023-24 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award, the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) announced today.

The award was established by the HCA in honor of former Army player Derek Hines, who was a “consummate team player and team builder.” Hines played at Army from 1999-2003 and was a four-year letter-winner as well as a co-captain his senior season. He was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 1, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Robinson is a two-year hockey team captain, as selected by his teammates. Prior to the 2023-24 academic year, Robinson was selected as the Academy’s Captain of Captains, representing the 27 intercollegiate programs to the Academy leadership, serving more than 1000 cadet athletes. A three-time Coaches’ Association All-American Scholar, he carries a 3.95 cumulative grade point average and will be going to graduate school after graduating from the Academy.

“I am deeply honored to be named the 2024 recipient of the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award,” said Robinson. “I am extremely grateful to the Hockey Commissioners Association and the members of the award selection committee for this prestigious accolade. 1LT Derek Hines is a true American hero and to be recognized for an award in his name is something I will never forget.

“At Air Force, our hockey program is not just about sports; it is about embodying the core values of our institution and the ideals of service before self. Every player who wears the Air Force uniform carries the legacy of those who have come before us, and despite 1LT Hines doing so at West Point and in the Army, his bravery, sacrifice, and legacy continue to inspire all within the USAFA Hockey community.

“Thank you to Coach Frank Serratore, the entire coaching staff, and my teammates, who have been my support system and true brothers on and off the ice throughout this journey. This award is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our team, and I am humbled to accept it on behalf of all who have contributed to our success.”

On the ice, he played in 118 of the possible 122 career games and had four goals, 15 assists and 19 points. His 132 career blocked shots were the most of any active Falcon. Robinson played a key role on the Falcon penalty kill that finished sixth in the nation at 84.8 percent. As a senior, he recorded the best statistical season of his career with two goals, seven assists, nine points and 44 blocked shots. His +6 plus-minus ratio in 2023-24 was the best among the Falcon defensemen.

Air Force coach Frank Serratore observed this about Robinson: “As a student, Luke’s academic track record speaks for itself, he is ranked #2 out of 1,038 students in his class. As an athlete, Luke is one of the most selfless people I’ve ever been around. This manifests itself in several different forms with our team. First off, he relishes his role as a ‘penalty killer’. Luke embraces the adversity and challenge of the penalty kill making him our most trusted penalty killer. This in turn has our overall ‘Penalty Kill’ ranked among the best in the nation. Additionally, Luke’s selflessness is on display daily as a true servant leader. He’s first in line when the bus needs loading as well as when the locker room and weight room need to be cleaned up. He’s last in line at our pre & post-game meals ensuring all his teammates are fed first. His awareness and caring for others are years beyond his age.”

Adds Serratore, “I have been privileged to coach some amazing cadet-athletes over the last 25-plus years who excelled in the classroom, on the ice, and as leaders in the Air Force and their community. However, I have never witnessed this rare combination of off-the-chart intellect, unsurpassed commitment, and caring human being that is Luke Robinson.”

Robinson is the third Air Force player and seventh player from the Atlantic Hockey to win the award since its inception. The other Falcons were Mike Phillipich in 2009 and Dylan Abood in 2018. The other finalists for this year’s award were graduate defenseman Nick Hale, from Ferris State; sophomore goaltender Gibson Homer, from Arizona State University; senior for- ward Louis Jamernik V, from North Dakota; senior defenseman Anthony Kehrer, from the University of Wisconsin; graduate defenseman Samuli Niinisaar, from the University of Massachusetts; senior forward Jack Quinn, from Long Island Univer- sity; junior defenseman Nick Strom, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The HCA coordinates the award, with nominations from each of the six Division I men’s hockey conferences. The selection committee votes on the winner “who displays exemplary sportsmanship, is supremely competitive, intelligent and extraordinarily conditioned with an unmatched work ethic.”