Playing Career
Umberger, who plays 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. 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. His efforts were recognized in 2006 when the Mustangs raised his number to the rafters of the Center Ice Arena in Delmont.
Umberger began his career with the USA National Team Developmental 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 16th overall by the Vancouver Canucks. Umberger left Ohio State before his senior year, intending to turn pro with the Vancouver Canucks. He was unable to reach a deal however, and sat out the entire 2003-04 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers on March 9, 2004 along with Martin Grenier in exchange for Martin Ručinský, but was 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 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 Lightning. 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 fourth round pick (Drew Olson) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Blue Jackets' first round pick, via the Colorado Avalanche (Luca Sbisa) drafted 19th overall and a third round pick (Marc-André Bourdon) in the draft.
On April 16, 2009, Umberger scored the Blue Jackets' first ever playoff goal in a 4-1 loss at the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also scored in Games 3 and 4 as Detroit swept the series.
On Wednesday, September 21, 2011, Umberger signed a five-year contract extension with his current team the Columbus Blue Jackets. His contract will expire in the 2016-2017 NHL season.
Read more about this topic: R. J. Umberger
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