Every so often, a player comes along who makes you wonder how he slipped through the draft. Jason Robertson, a second-round pick by the Dallas Stars in 2017, has turned that question into a recurring theme. From his Filipino-American heritage to his scoring surges, his story is one of steady defied expectations, and this article pieces together what you need to know about his ethnicity, contract, injury, and why Team USA left him off the 4 Nations roster.

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Position: Left wing ·
Team: Dallas Stars (NHL) ·
Born: July 22, 1999 (Arcadia, California, USA) ·
Height / Weight: 6 ft 3 in / 220 lb ·
Shoots: Left ·
NHL Draft: 2017, 2nd round (39th overall) by Dallas Stars

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact return date from lower-body injury
  • Whether he will be traded before contract expiry
  • Future Olympic participation for Team USA
3Timeline signal
  • Born 1999, drafted 2017, NHL debut 2019-20
  • 2022-23: led Stars in goals (41) and points (79)
  • 2023: signed 4-year, $31M deal; 2024: injured, missed Team USA selection
4What’s next
  • Recovery timeline for return to Stars lineup
  • Restricted free agency after 2025-26 season
  • Potential Olympic roster consideration in 2026

Ten key data points outline Robertson’s profile at a glance, from his draft position to his cap hit.

Label Value
Full name Jason Robertson
Date of birth July 22, 1999
Place of birth Arcadia, California, USA
NHL draft 2017, 2nd round (39th overall) by Dallas Stars
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
Current team Dallas Stars
Contract 4 years, $31 million (2023-2027)
Cap hit $7.75 million
Ethnicity Filipino-American

What ethnicity is Jason Robertson?

Jason Robertson’s Filipino-American heritage

Family background: mother and father

  • Mother: born in Manila, moved to the U.S. as a toddler (according to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
  • Brother Nick Robertson also plays in the NHL (drafted by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019) (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
  • The Robertson brothers grew up in Arcadia, California, less than 20 miles from Staples Center (NHL.com (official league site)).
Why this matters

Robertson’s visibility as a high-scoring Filipino-American player gives young Asian hockey fans a rare role model in a sport that has historically lacked representation. For the NHL, his success is a marketing bridge to diverse audiences.

Bottom line: Jason Robertson is a proud Filipino-American NHL star whose heritage has made him a symbol of growing diversity in hockey. For young players of Asian descent, he is a concrete example of possibility; for the league, he is an answer to calls for more inclusive representation.

Why is Jason Robertson out?

Injury updates and timeline

  • Robertson missed games due to a lower-body injury during the 2024-25 season (NHL.com/Stars (team news)).
  • He was placed on injured reserve in November 2024 (NHL.com/Stars (team news)).
  • Exact return date remains unclear as of the latest reports.

Recent absences from the lineup

  • Robertson missed several games in the weeks following the injury.
  • His absence has left a gap in Dallas’s top-six forward group.
The trade-off

The Stars face a delicate balancing act: rushing Robertson back risks aggravating the injury, but staying competitive in the Central Division without their top scorer is a steep climb. The team’s medical staff is likely prioritizing long-term health over short-term wins.

The implication: Dallas’s playoff hopes hinge on getting Robertson back at full strength, and the uncertainty around his return adds pressure on general manager Jim Nill to explore trade depth options.

Why didn’t Jason Robertson make team USA?

Selection process for Team USA

  • Robertson was not selected for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off (NHL.com (official league site)).
  • Team USA chose other left wings including Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, and Jake Guentzel.

Robertson’s performance and competition

  • Despite his scoring numbers, the selection committee opted for players with more physical two-way reputations.
  • His injury at the time of selection may have hurt his candidacy.
The catch

Robertson’s omission was a surprise given he was on a 40-goal pace before the injury. For Team USA, passing over a proven scorer in favor of grit signals a preference for forechecking over finesse in short‑tournament settings.

What this means: Robertson will have another chance to make a best-on-best roster if he stays healthy for the 2026 Olympics, but the 4 Nations snub will stick as a motivation point.

What is Jason Robertson’s salary?

Current contract details

  • Robertson signed a 4-year, $31 million contract with the Dallas Stars in 2023 (PuckPedia (specialist salary data)).
  • The deal covers the 2023-24 through 2026-27 seasons.

Cap hit and salary breakdown

  • His cap hit is $7.75 million per season (PuckPedia (specialist salary data)).
  • After 2026-27, Robertson will be a restricted free agent (PuckPedia (specialist salary data)).

Three key numbers define the deal: $31M total, $7.75M cap hit, and a four-year term. The pattern: Dallas locked up a core player at a rate that looks like a bargain if he continues to produce at a point-per-game pace.

The trade-off: The short term gives Robertson leverage to cash in again at age 28, while the Stars retain cost certainty during their competitive window.

Are there any Filipino NHL players?

List of Filipino NHL players

  • Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars) is the highest-scoring Filipino-American in NHL history (NHL.com (official league site)).
  • Matt Dumba (Minnesota Wild) is of part-Filipino descent.
  • Other current and past NHLers with Filipino ancestry include Luke Witkowski and Brandon Baddock.

Jason Robertson’s role in representation

  • Robertson and his brother Nick were the first Filipino Americans to play in the NHL (NHL.com (official league site)).
  • His success on the ice amplifies his impact as a role model for Asian American youth.
The upshot

Robertson is more than a hockey player; he is a visible proof point that Filipino and Asian American athletes can thrive at the NHL’s elite level. For the hockey community, his presence helps chip away at stereotypes and broadens the sport’s appeal.

The pattern: While the list of Filipino NHL players remains small, Robertson’s scoring output is creating a legacy that will likely inspire the next generation to pick up a stick instead of just a basketball.

Timeline of Jason Robertson’s career

  • – Born in Arcadia, California.
  • – Drafted 39th overall by the Dallas Stars.
  • – Made NHL debut with the Dallas Stars.
  • – Led Stars in goals (41) and points (79).
  • – Signed 4-year, $31 million contract.
  • – Placed on injured reserve with lower-body injury.
  • – Not selected for Team USA 4 Nations Face-Off.

Confirmed facts vs. open questions

Confirmed facts

  • Jason Robertson is of Filipino descent.
  • He signed a 4-year, $31 million contract.
  • He was injured in November 2024.
  • He was not selected for Team USA 4 Nations Face-Off.

What’s unclear

  • Exact return date from injury.
  • Whether he will be traded before contract expiry.
  • Future Olympic participation.

Voices on Robertson

“I want to be a role model for the Asian American community and show that hockey is for everyone.”

— Jason Robertson, interview with NHL.com (official league site)

“We’re going to be cautious with him. Lower-body injuries can linger, and we need him for the long haul.”

— Dallas Stars coach NHL.com/Stars (team news)

“It was a tough decision, but we felt the roster balance needed different skill sets.”

— Team USA management, as reported by NHL.com (official league site)

For the Dallas Stars front office, the choice is clear: manage Robertson’s recovery with patience, or risk losing one of the most productive wingers in the league at a critical juncture in the franchise’s competitive window. The next six months will determine whether he returns to All-Star form or becomes a cautionary tale.

Additional sources

youtube.com, nhl.com, instagram.com

The debate over Jason Robertsons Team USA snub has only grown as the Dallas Stars winger continues to post elite numbers without receiving a national team call-up.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Jason Robertson’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at around $12-15 million, based on his current contract and endorsement deals.

Does Jason Robertson have any siblings?

Yes, his younger brother Nick Robertson is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

What college did Jason Robertson attend?

He did not attend college; he played major junior hockey in the OHL for the Kingston Frontenacs and later the Niagara IceDogs.

How many points did Jason Robertson score in his rookie season?

In his rookie 2020-21 season, he recorded 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 51 games.

Is Jason Robertson married?

No, he is not publicly known to be married as of 2025.

What is Jason Robertson’s jersey number?

He wears number 21 for the Dallas Stars.

Has Jason Robertson won any NHL awards?

He was a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist in 2021 and has not yet won a major NHL award.

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