When all-Canadian linebacker Layne Hull graduated from the program at the end of last season, the Okanagan Sun had lost a level of both leadership and skill not easily replaced.

And while Hull will no doubt be missed, the addition of Shaun Robinson to the Sun defense for the 2017 B.C. Football Conference season has made the departure just that much more bearable.

General manager Jay Christensen expects Robinson, a 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker from Halifax, to make an immediate and significant impact with the Sun.

鈥淎lready he brings leadership to the team,鈥� Christensen said of Robinson on Sunday, the third day of the club鈥檚 main training camp. 鈥淵ou can see him on the field talking to the other guys and he kind of becomes a little bit of a coach on the field, I think that鈥檚 going to be a huge benefit for the defense. Anytime you can bring outside experience it鈥檚 a help.

鈥淭he thing you immediately notice is his quickness to the ball,鈥� Christensen added. 鈥淗e鈥檚 going to be a disruptive force no doubt, he鈥檒l cause havoc for a lot of offenses in this league. If you do that, it certainly helps all our guys on the field.鈥�

Robinson started for two seasons at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, N.B., including 2014 when the Mounties went a perfect 8-0 in conference play.

Robinson began last season in the BCFC with the Westshore Rebels, but after two games decided it wasn鈥檛 the right fit and decided to return home.

This season, itching to make a return to the field, Robinson looked back west to 91大黄鸭 where former Mt. Allison teammates Kian Ishani and Robbie Rodrigues had both played for the Sun in 2016.

After a positive conversation with head coach Ben Macauley and high recommendations from both Ishani and Rodrigues, it was more than Robinson needed to be sold on the Sun.

鈥淐oach Ben was so straightforward, an upbeat guy, and that鈥檚 what I wanted,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淚 appreciated how honest he was, where I鈥檇 be with this program. He really sold me on 91大黄鸭 and how beautiful it is. I鈥檓 loving it so far and am ready to get at it.鈥�

And Ben Macauley is clearly sold on Robinson who he expects to challenge for top defensive player honours, not only in the BCFC but in all of Canadian junior football. He also believes Robinson鈥檚 influence will make the Sun a better team as whole.

Without having played a single down with the Sun, expectations of Robinson are high. But the 21-year-old linebacker is quick to embrace every one.

鈥淚 always expect myself to be the best when I鈥檓 playing, that鈥檚 always ongoing in my head,鈥� said Robinson. 鈥淭here are solid people on this team, we can be as good as we want to be, and I want to be the best teammate I can be for these guys. I want to do the same for myself, so it works hand in hand.鈥�

Robinson鈥檚 stay with the Rebels last season may have been short but his impact was considerable. At the time of his departure鈥攁nd for another two weeks following鈥擱obinson was the BCFC鈥檚 leading tackler.

Robinson won鈥檛 have to wait long to see his former team as the Sun takes on the defending conference champs from Westshore in the season opener Saturday, July 27 at the Apple Bowl.

While Robinson harbours no ill will towards the Rebels, he promises to be in full attack mode when he takes to the field against his ex-teammates and coaches.

鈥淚 appreciate the players and coaches over there, they showed me a lot of love out there, but I鈥檓 with the Sun now,鈥� said Robinson. 鈥淔ootball鈥檚 football, I鈥檓 going to come after them and compete.鈥�

As for his expectations for his new teammates in 2017, Robinson said the Sun should be the BCFC鈥檚 team to beat.

鈥淗opefully we鈥檒l take it to every team this season, it doesn鈥檛 matter who,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l hopefully put more points up, stop them from scoring and bring that (Canadian championship) ring here.鈥�