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11-28-05, 1:35 PM
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Q and A with R.J. Umberger
By Russ Cohen | NHL.com correspondent
Nov. 28, 2005
R.J. Umberger is a 23-year-old forward with an interesting entry into the world of professional hockey
A power forward, Umberger was a standout at Ohio State University, a member of Team USA at the 2001 World Junior Championships, and was drafted 16th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2001 Entry Draft.
Umberger and the Canucks never could agree on a contract. After a short stint with the New York Rangers, he found a home in Philadelphia where he set the rookie points record (65) for the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms during their 2005 Calder Cup Championship season.
NHL.com caught up with this budding Flyers star to talk about his hockey career and a whole lot more.
NHL.com: What's the difference in your game from when you played in college to now?
RJ: The biggest thing is being more consistent playing with a little edge out there, being intense, using my size, protecting the puck and taking it to the net.
NHL.com: Seeing how far you have come was the holdout worthwhile up to this point?
RJ: It was a long process; it wasn't a fun process. I stuck by my beliefs. I knew in the long run that it would work out and I would be OK.
NHL.com: In Vancouver and New York why do you think it didn't work out?
RJ: Vancouver didn't work out because different things were wanted by both sides. I think by the time it got down to New York I was real close to becoming a free agent. They wanted me to play on a trial contract and the risk was more than worth it because I was going to be a free agent and to get hurt or something, after sitting out all year, just wouldn't have been worth it.
NHL.com: Why do you think the Flyers stepped up to get you?
RJ: There were a lot of teams that stepped up. I think we knew that the whole time. That's why we did it. They showed confidence in me and knew my background and the type of person I am. --They showed faith in me.
NHL.com: Looking back at the lockout did that really help you? You played in the AHL, won a championship there, did that help your confidence?
RJ: Yeah absolutely. I needed that year no matter what. The lockout was great for me because all of the young skilled players were down in the American League. That American League was incredible and the team that we had that won the Calder Cup gave me the experience and added winning to my resume and that's hard to come by.
NHL.com: Is it comfortable to be on the same line as some of those guys in the NHL?
RJ: I played a lot with those guys last year so we were familiar with each other. We're all pretty good friends and when you win a championship, that's a special bond that you never forget and something you always remember. It's something special so I think anytime you are playing with these young guys they compete hard and play for each other.
NHL.com: What's the difference between John Stevens as a coach and Ken Hitchcock?
RJ: I think they are both pretty similar. They are both very defensive style coaches. They want you to protect the puck and hold onto it. Really worrying about defense and turning the puck over. I think maybe John has to do a little more one-on-one teaching because you are still developing younger guys down there in the American League.
NHL.com: I have noticed with a little extra space on the ice you are really trying to power past defenseman on the right side and make a move around the defenseman to get to the net. Do you think it's a little easier to do that now as opposed to a couple years ago when there may have been more clutching and grabbing?
RJ: Yeah absolutely. If you get a step on these defenseman and you have speed, besides if somebody puts a stick on you it's probably a penalty, so there is an advantage to drive wide and take the puck to the net. And that's what they really want me to do here. Show tenacity going to the net. And that's what I have been working on and what I love to do and it has been working well.
NHL.com: What's your off-season training regimen like?
RJ: Pretty intense. I have a strength coach out of Minnesota. I'm either in contact with him everyday through e-mail or phone or I actually go into Minnesota in August and do stuff. He has me going six days a week, pretty intense, both cardio and lifting. I take that stuff seriously in the off-season.
NHL.com: What sports did you used to play when you were growing up?
RJ: Football and baseball a lot. Once I got to the point where I was in juniors I knew I was going to play hockey for the rest of my life, I had to give them up.
NHL.com: At any point when you were at Ohio State did you wonder why you weren't playing on the football team?
RJ: No I wanted to play hockey. I think every time it was springtime I wanted to play baseball. I really itched for baseball, but I made a decision and I love hockey more than anything.
NHL.com: What position did you play in baseball?
RJ: I was a shortstop.
NHL.com: What's your favorite song that you like to hear in pre-game warm-ups?
RJ: I'm really pretty easy going about what I listen to. If there is one thing that I am going to listen to it's a lot of Eminem. It's something that gets me fired up.
NHL.com: Are you still superstitious and do you still have to eat your mother's spaghetti sauce before a game.
RJ: Oh yes.
NHL.com: Do you still have a supply?
RJ: Right now it's running low actually I need to get some more of that. I have to get her out to see a game and make some. I'm pretty superstitious with my equipment and how I put it on. And my pre-game routine.
NHL.com: How long does it take?
RJ: It's a two-hour process.
NHL.com: Did you think you would get called up this early?
RJ: I was hoping to make the team out of training camp and I was aware of the forwards we have. The injuries are part of the game. I have to take advantage of it. Hopefully I will be up here for the long haul.
NHL.com: What is your long-term goal for your NHL career?
RJ: I want to be a dominant player in this league. I wanna be a 10-plus year player. I want to be a force out there, a power forward. That's my goal.
NHL (http://www.nhl.com/features/system/index.html)
Q and A with R.J. Umberger
By Russ Cohen | NHL.com correspondent
Nov. 28, 2005
R.J. Umberger is a 23-year-old forward with an interesting entry into the world of professional hockey
A power forward, Umberger was a standout at Ohio State University, a member of Team USA at the 2001 World Junior Championships, and was drafted 16th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2001 Entry Draft.
Umberger and the Canucks never could agree on a contract. After a short stint with the New York Rangers, he found a home in Philadelphia where he set the rookie points record (65) for the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms during their 2005 Calder Cup Championship season.
NHL.com caught up with this budding Flyers star to talk about his hockey career and a whole lot more.
NHL.com: What's the difference in your game from when you played in college to now?
RJ: The biggest thing is being more consistent playing with a little edge out there, being intense, using my size, protecting the puck and taking it to the net.
NHL.com: Seeing how far you have come was the holdout worthwhile up to this point?
RJ: It was a long process; it wasn't a fun process. I stuck by my beliefs. I knew in the long run that it would work out and I would be OK.
NHL.com: In Vancouver and New York why do you think it didn't work out?
RJ: Vancouver didn't work out because different things were wanted by both sides. I think by the time it got down to New York I was real close to becoming a free agent. They wanted me to play on a trial contract and the risk was more than worth it because I was going to be a free agent and to get hurt or something, after sitting out all year, just wouldn't have been worth it.
NHL.com: Why do you think the Flyers stepped up to get you?
RJ: There were a lot of teams that stepped up. I think we knew that the whole time. That's why we did it. They showed confidence in me and knew my background and the type of person I am. --They showed faith in me.
NHL.com: Looking back at the lockout did that really help you? You played in the AHL, won a championship there, did that help your confidence?
RJ: Yeah absolutely. I needed that year no matter what. The lockout was great for me because all of the young skilled players were down in the American League. That American League was incredible and the team that we had that won the Calder Cup gave me the experience and added winning to my resume and that's hard to come by.
NHL.com: Is it comfortable to be on the same line as some of those guys in the NHL?
RJ: I played a lot with those guys last year so we were familiar with each other. We're all pretty good friends and when you win a championship, that's a special bond that you never forget and something you always remember. It's something special so I think anytime you are playing with these young guys they compete hard and play for each other.
NHL.com: What's the difference between John Stevens as a coach and Ken Hitchcock?
RJ: I think they are both pretty similar. They are both very defensive style coaches. They want you to protect the puck and hold onto it. Really worrying about defense and turning the puck over. I think maybe John has to do a little more one-on-one teaching because you are still developing younger guys down there in the American League.
NHL.com: I have noticed with a little extra space on the ice you are really trying to power past defenseman on the right side and make a move around the defenseman to get to the net. Do you think it's a little easier to do that now as opposed to a couple years ago when there may have been more clutching and grabbing?
RJ: Yeah absolutely. If you get a step on these defenseman and you have speed, besides if somebody puts a stick on you it's probably a penalty, so there is an advantage to drive wide and take the puck to the net. And that's what they really want me to do here. Show tenacity going to the net. And that's what I have been working on and what I love to do and it has been working well.
NHL.com: What's your off-season training regimen like?
RJ: Pretty intense. I have a strength coach out of Minnesota. I'm either in contact with him everyday through e-mail or phone or I actually go into Minnesota in August and do stuff. He has me going six days a week, pretty intense, both cardio and lifting. I take that stuff seriously in the off-season.
NHL.com: What sports did you used to play when you were growing up?
RJ: Football and baseball a lot. Once I got to the point where I was in juniors I knew I was going to play hockey for the rest of my life, I had to give them up.
NHL.com: At any point when you were at Ohio State did you wonder why you weren't playing on the football team?
RJ: No I wanted to play hockey. I think every time it was springtime I wanted to play baseball. I really itched for baseball, but I made a decision and I love hockey more than anything.
NHL.com: What position did you play in baseball?
RJ: I was a shortstop.
NHL.com: What's your favorite song that you like to hear in pre-game warm-ups?
RJ: I'm really pretty easy going about what I listen to. If there is one thing that I am going to listen to it's a lot of Eminem. It's something that gets me fired up.
NHL.com: Are you still superstitious and do you still have to eat your mother's spaghetti sauce before a game.
RJ: Oh yes.
NHL.com: Do you still have a supply?
RJ: Right now it's running low actually I need to get some more of that. I have to get her out to see a game and make some. I'm pretty superstitious with my equipment and how I put it on. And my pre-game routine.
NHL.com: How long does it take?
RJ: It's a two-hour process.
NHL.com: Did you think you would get called up this early?
RJ: I was hoping to make the team out of training camp and I was aware of the forwards we have. The injuries are part of the game. I have to take advantage of it. Hopefully I will be up here for the long haul.
NHL.com: What is your long-term goal for your NHL career?
RJ: I want to be a dominant player in this league. I wanna be a 10-plus year player. I want to be a force out there, a power forward. That's my goal.
NHL (http://www.nhl.com/features/system/index.html)