Umberger tallied 129 points (58 goals, 71 assists) in 112 career games in three years at OSU.
Originally selected as a first-round draft pick (16th overall) by Vancouver in 2001, R.J. decided to forego his senior season, intending to turn pro.
His agent failed to come to terms with the Canucks and was forced to sit out the entire 2003-04 campaign.
Umberger eventually signed with the Philadelphia Flyers this summer as an unrestricted free agent and began his first professional season in the American Hockey League this year.
R.J. has shown no ill effects from the lost time and has been a solid addition to the Phantoms squad, ranking third on the team with 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 44 games played.
Expect Phantoms fans and friends of this native son of nearby Pittsburgh to be making the trip to the Flyers to check out his new uniform when the NHL reopens.
The Flyers’ front office has gone on the record giving Umberger their vote of confidence, so we don't expect him to stay on the FAB50 for long. He debuts at No. 34.
