Men's Hockey: Three Buckeyes on NHL Opening-Day Rosters
COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Three Ohio State men?s hockey players are on opening-day rosters of National Hockey League teams to begin the 2008-09 season. R.J. Umberger (2001-03), who was acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the off season, is the first former Buckeye to play for the hometown Blue Jackets. Dave Steckel (2001-03) is with the Washington Capitals, while Ryan Kesler (2003) is in his fifth season with the Vancouver Canucks.
Umberger has played 228 games in the NHL, all with the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring 49 goals, 67 assists and 116 points. Last season with the Flyers, Umberger had a career-high 37 assists.
Steckel is beginning his fourth season with the Capitals and is coming off his most productive year. In 67 games, Steckel had five goals, seven assists and 12 points. He played in all seven of the Capitals post season games, scoring a goal and recording an assist.
Kesler, who turned pro prior to the 2003-04 season, posted 21 goals and 16 assists in 80 games last season with the Canucks. He has played in 239 NHL games, all with Vancouver, and has 39 goals, 44 assists and 83 points.