R. J. Umberger
Position Center
Shoots Left
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
NHL team
F. teams Columbus Blue Jackets
Philadelphia Flyers
Nationality United States
Born May 3, 1982 (1982-05-03) (age 27),
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NHL Draft 16th overall, 2001
Vancouver Canucks
Pro career 2004 ? present
Richard Allen (R. J.) Umberger, Jr. (born May 3, 1982 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), is an American professional ice hockey center for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Playing career
Umberger, who can play both left wing and center, played his high school hockey in the PIHL for the Plum Mustangs. In his sophomore year and final season, he accumulated 116 points in just 26 games[1]. 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.[2] His efforts were recognized in 2006 when the Mustangs raised his number to the rafters of the Center Ice Arena in Delmont.[3] 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, along with 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. 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-Andr? Bourdon) in the draft.
On April 16, 2009, Umberger scored the Blue Jackets' first ever playoff goal in a 4-1 loss at Detroit in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Career Highlights; 2006-07 Registered 16-12-28 and 41 penalty minutes in 81 games with Philadelphia? Set career highs in games played and penalty minutes? Ranked third on the club in goals? Scored a pair of goals Nov. 16 at Los Angeles? Recorded 0-2-2 to tie a single game career high in assists Dec. 13 at Pittsburgh? Played the 200th game of his NHL career Dec. 2 vs. New Jersey? Notched 2-0-2 Feb. 12 vs. Detroit and Feb. 27 at NY Islanders? Had four goals during a three-game goal streak Feb. 27-Mar. 4? 2005-06: Notched 20-18-38, 18 penalty minutes and was +9 in 73 games during his rookie season with Philadelphia? Made his NHL debut Oct. 30 at Ottawa? Registered his first NHL point with an assist Nov. 8 vs. Boston? Scored his first NHL goal Nov. 22 vs. Tampa Bay (Sean Burke)? Added 1-0-1 and two penalty minutes in five playoff games? Had 3-7-10, eight penalty minutes and was +4 in eight games with Philadelphia (AHL)? 2004-05: Tallied 21-44-65, 36 penalty minutes and was +19 in 80 games with Philadelphia (AHL)? Named the Phantoms Rookie of the Year? Led the club in assists and points? Ranked first among AHL rookies in assists, was third in points and plus/minus rating, while ranking fifth in goals? Set Phantoms rookie records for goals and points in a season? Was one of two Phantoms to play in all 80 games? Named AHL Rookie of the Month for November? 2003-04: Did not play due to a contract dispute? 2002-03: Recorded 26-27-53 and 16 penalty minutes in 43 games at Ohio State (CCHA)? Set career highs in goals, assist, points and games played? Named to the NCAA West Second All-American Team and CCHA First All-Star Team? Was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award? Named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team? Led the Buckeyes in goals, assists, points, power play goals (9), game-winning goals (8) and shots (217)? Ranked second in the nation in game-winning goals? 2001-02: Collected 18-21-39 and 31 penalty minutes in 39 games for Ohio State (CCHA)? Named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team? Led the Buckeyes in goals, assists, points, power play goals (5) and shots (169)? Competed for the United States at the World Junior Championships? 2000-01: Registered 14-23-37 and 18 penalty minutes in 32 games with Ohio State (CCHA)? Named CCHA Rookie of the Year and to the CCHA All-Rookie Team? Led the Buckeyes in assists, points and shots (122)? Competed for the United States at the World Junior Championships? 1999-2000: Recorded 33-35-68 and 20 penalty minutes in 57 games with the United States National Development Team? 1998-99: Notched 21-21-42 and 32 penalty minutes in 50 games with the United States National Development Team.
Umberger shows grit despite setbacks
Olympic snub, firing of Hitchcock don't alter his outlook
Saturday, February 6, 2010
By Tom Reed
The Columbus Dispatch
Neal C. Lauron | Dispatch
R.J. Umberger's goal while on his stomach Thursday against the Stars symbolizes his work ethic on the ice.
The winning goal that Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger scored Thursday typified his season, one that has been predictably productive and unexpectedly adverse.
Little more than a minute remained and the Jackets clung to a one-goal lead as Umberger chipped the puck into the neutral zone with two Dallas defenders and the law of gravity to beat.
Umberger fended off Brad Richards and Jere Lehtinen for about 60 feet before stumbling, an empty net in front of him. He landed on his stomach but managed to corral the puck and slide it into the net.
"It was like an out-of-body experience," he said. "I saw the puck, I wanted us to get it out of the zone, then I tracked it down. Determination can do wonders."
His kind of town
R.J. Umberger is passionate about both the Blue Jackets and the city of Columbus
Thursday, October 28, 2010
By Tom Reed
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Eric Albrecht | Dispatch
R.J. Umberger stands at the Union Station Arch near Nationwide Arena. "R.J. epitomizes a lot of what we want and like our players to be," said general manager Scott Howson.
When the most-disappointing season in Blue Jackets history ended in April, the player who owed nobody an explanation was the only one still in town answering to fans.
While his teammates scattered across the globe after their 14th-place finish in the Western Conference, forward R.J. Umberger remained in his year-round home of central Ohio.
It was Umberger who bumped into fans while shopping at Polaris, walking the family's golden retrievers at Alum Creek or taking classes at Ohio State. Recalling the offseason, the alternate captain said Jackets fans were courteous, inquisitive and supportive of a franchise that has spent a decade rarely giving them reason to be any of the above.
"No one was rude at all," Umberger said. "People are still excited about our team. They think we have good players here and hope last season was a blip on the radar. What they appreciate more than anything is hard work. They don't care if you always win; they just want to see you give everything you've got."
Since returning to Columbus before the 2008-09 season, the former Ohio State star has never failed the Jackets in that capacity. Playing through pain and frustration, Umberger has not missed a game in his Blue Jackets career, totaling 172 heading into tonight's game against Edmonton in Nationwide Arena.
He takes a beating in front of the net, sacrifices his feet and ankles in shooting lanes and has averaged 24.5 goals per NHL season.
Plum's Umberger quietly excels with Blue Jackets
Saturday, December 04, 2010
By Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Blue Jackets forward RJ Umberger has 19 points this season.
R.J. Umberger hasn't felt the love for his scoring streak that Sidney Crosby has been raking in during his concurrent streak.
"Probably not," the Plum native and Columbus winger said with a chuckle this week. "Probably a little bit different. Things are a little bit quieter in Columbus. Sometimes that's a good thing. We're playing well right now, and that's more important."
Umberger had at least a point in 10 games in a row before getting blanked in the Blue Jackets' loss Friday night against Buffalo. He had three goals, 13 points in the streak to move into the team lead with 19 points. He had a plus-minus rating of plus-6 in those games to take the club lead among forwards at plus-9.
Of course, Umberger didn't have a couple of hat tricks, surge into the NHL scoring lead with 44 points and help his club win eight games in a row to make a run at the top spot in the league standings. That was the Penguins' Crosby, who has the longest points streak in the NHL this season at 14 games going into a matchup tonight against Umberger and the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
Baby part of Umberger's 'amazing two days'
Saturday, January 22, 2011
By Tom Reed
The Columbus Dispatch
Lynne Sladky | Associated Press
R.J. Umberger, right, celebrates his goal in overtime against the Panthers on Wednesday.
ST. LOUIS - A weary R.J. Umberger arrived here yesterday afternoon in search of a good meal and a decent night's sleep.
The Blue Jackets winger had earned both.
In a breathless 26-hour span, Umberger scored a winning goal in overtime at the Florida Panthers, shared a memorable flight home with his father and assisted his wife in the birth of the couple's second child late Thursday night.
That tops any Gordie Howe hat trick.
"It's been an amazing two days," Umberger said. "It was tough having to leave (wife) Cara and the baby (Delaney Rose) at the hospital today, but everybody is doing well and I needed to get back with the team."
It's a memorable time in what's becoming a special season for the 28-year-old Umberger, who's on pace for his first 30-goal season and a career high in points.
But Umberger will have trouble topping No. 17 in terms of drama. It came deep into overtime Wednesday as he deflected a Grant Clitsome point shot to secure a 3-2 win and a happy ending to the club's fathers-and-sons trip.
Umberger pumped both fists into the air before being enveloped by teammates. Close friends watching on television told Umberger they had never seen him more emotional after a goal. Everybody understood the context of the moment.
"So many thoughts run through your head," he said. "I knew my dad (Rick) was in the building watching, and I was thinking about what was going on at home with my wife."
Cont..
Jackets' iron man owes his work ethic to family
Parents influenced Umberger's march toward team mark
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
By Tom Reed
The Columbus Dispatch
Neal C. Lauron | Dispatch
R.J. Umberger has endeared himself to the Blue Jackets with his consistent effort and durability.
After four decades of working construction, Rick Umberger hung up his tool belt in 2006 and headed directly to a Pittsburgh-area Home Depot. At age 60, the general contractor applied for a job in the superstore's hardware department.
His millionaire, hockey-playing son knew better than to suggest retirement. R.J. Umberger would have an easier time persuading Blue Jackets teammate Jake Voracek to shave his head.
Umberger has inherited many of his father's characteristics, including a streak of stubbornness that stretches like his string of consecutive games played.
"We're a family of busy people; we have to do something," Umberger said. "My mom is retired and she still works several days a week part time in a school cafeteria.
"... I thought, at least the Home Depot job would be less physical on him. He has taken a beating over the years."
Tonight, Umberger will set the Blue Jackets' iron man record as he plays in his 244th consecutive regular-season game for the franchise against the Dallas Stars. The previous mark was established by Jason Chimera.
Umberger, 28, hasn't missed a game since the Jackets acquired him on June 21, 2008. Dating to the end of the 2007-08 season with Philadelphia, the winger has appeared in 246 consecutive games - the NHL's 13th-longest active streak.
Umberger's durability is a source of a pride for his parents, who sold concessions at Pittsburgh's old Three Rivers Stadium so their son could afford to play high school hockey.
"I've never told him to take a game off when he was banged up," Rick Umberger said. "I leave that stuff up to him. The only thing we've ever mentioned is wearing a shield, but he's not ready to do it yet."
Cont..
