R. J. Umberger
| R. J. Umberger | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Born |
May 3, 1982 Pittsburgh, PA, USA |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Center | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
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NHL team Former teams |
Free Agent Philadelphia Flyers Columbus Blue Jackets |
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| National team |
 United States
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| NHL Draft | 16th overall, 2001 Vancouver Canucks |
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| Playing career | 2004–present | ||
Richard Allen "R. J." Umberger, Jr. (born May 3, 1982) is an American professional ice hockey center who is currently an unrestricted free agent. Drafted in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, Umberger has played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Umberger, who is both a left winger and center, played his high school hockey in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (WPIHL) for the Plum Mustangs in 1997 and 1998. In his sophomore year and final season, he accumulated 116 points in just 26 games. He capped off that season by scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime against Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) to win the WPIHL AAA League Championship in front of a packed house at the BladeRunners Ice Complex in Harmarville. His efforts were recognized in 2006 when the Mustangs raised his number to the rafters of its home rink, the Center Ice Arena in Delmont. He was inducted into the Plum High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Umberger is recognized annually with the R. J. Umberger Award for the PA Hockey Scholastic Showcase, a scholastic tournament played in December each year. The Tournament has a Wall of Champions at Harmarille BladeRunners. During his short prep career, Umberger was named to the All Tournament Team both years.
Umberger began his career with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program after a successful developmental career with the Pittsburgh Hornets. He then started his college career with Ohio State University. He was drafted in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft in the first round, 16th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks. Umberger left Ohio State before his senior year, intending to turn professional with the Canucks. He was unable to reach a deal, however, and sat out the entire 2003–04 season. He was then traded to the New York Rangers on March 9, 2004, along with Martin Grenier, in exchange for Martin Ručinský, but was later signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Flyers on June 16, 2004, just three months later. He was called up to the Flyers roster in the 2005–06 season.
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