R. J. Umberger

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size = 200px
position = Center
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 215
team = Columbus Blue Jackets
league = NHL
former_teams = Philadelphia Flyers
nationality = United States
birth_date = birth date and age|1982|5|3
birth_place = Plum, PA, U.S.
draft = 16th overall
draft_year = 2001
draft_team = Vancouver Canucks
career_start = 2004
nickname =

Richard Allen Umberger, Jr. (born May 3, 1982 in Plum, Pennsylvania), better known as R.J. Umberger (R.J. standing for Richard Jr), is an American professional ice hockey center for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Umberger, who can play left wing and center, played his high school hockey in the PIHL for the Plum Mustangs. His sophomore year and final season, he accumulated 116 points in just 26 games [ [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=20133 Legends of Hockey - NHL Player Search - Player - R.J. Umberger ] ] . He capped off his season by scoring the game winning goal in double overtime in front of a packed house at the Harmarville Bladerunners to win the Penguins Cup.cite web
url = http://www.yourpennhills.com/pennhillsprogress/article/flyers-star-forward-recalls-memorable-moments-plum-mustangs-uniform
title = Flyers star forward recalls memorable moments in Plum Mustangs uniform : YourPennHills.com
accessdate = 2008-05-03] His efforts were recognized in 2006 when the Mustangs raised his number to the rafters of the Center Ice Arena in Delmont.

Umberger played his college career with Ohio State University. He was drafted in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft 16th overall by the Vancouver Canucks. He was traded to the New York Rangers on March 9, 2004 along with Martin Grenier in exchange for Martin Rucinsky, but was signed as a free agent by the Flyers on June 16, 2004, just three months later. [ [http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2503&hubname=nhl-flyers TSN.ca R.J. Umberger Player Page] He was called up to the Flyers roster in the 2005-06 NHL season.

Umberger is the second Western Pennsylvanian born hockey player to play in the NHL, behind Ryan Malone of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored his first career NHL goal on November 22, 2005 for the Flyers against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 2006 NHL Playoffs, he was checked in the open ice by former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell, leaving him with a concussion. He came back to score the game winner a few nights later. R.J. began his career with the USA National Team Developmental Program after a successful developmental career with the Pittsburgh Hornets. On July 6, 2006, the Flyers announced that they had signed him to a two year contract.

On June 20, 2008 Umberger was traded from the Flyers with their 4th round pick (Drew Olson) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Blue Jackets first round pick, via Colorado (Luca Sbisa) drafted 19th overall and a third round pick (Marc-Andre Bourdon) in the draft.

Awards

*2000-01: All-Rookie Team (CCHA)
*2000-01: Rookie of the Year (CCHA)
*2002-03: First All-Star Team (CCHA)
*2002-03: West Second All-American Team (NCAA)
* 2004-05: Calder Cup "Philadelphia Phantoms"

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

ee also

*List of AHL seasons
*List of NHL seasons
*List of NHL players

References

External links

*hockeydb|54470
*legendsofhockey|20133