When a local guy from South Western Pennsylvania makes it big, the fans will always support and owe loyalty to one of their own. However, should someone turn their back, then they are most certainly unforgiving and the "star" is reduced to "sellout" status.
Enter: R.J. Umberger.
As a Plum Area native (suburb of Pittsburgh), he decided to pursue hockey at the collegiate level at Thee Ohio State University. That should have been the first warning sign to his loyalty when everybody rivals the Buckeyes. At least the Patrick family had the decency to play for national champion Penn State for less national exposure. However, he was a hero to the area having been the first local kid to make the NHL from the "Mario era" which created interest in Pittsburgh area children to play the game. He was drafted by Vancouver, but when he was unable to come to a contract, they traded him to NY Rangers.
Follow the money.
Umberger signs with Philly according to this NHL Network news release. Umberger chose his wallet over loyalty and proved to a lot of NHL and Pittsburgh fans that he is only in it for the money.
Also in the news, the Flyers also signed Keith Primeau to a $17 million 4 year deal.
1 comment:
As a Canucks fan, I hope RJ Umberger blows out his friggin ACL :(
Seriously, the guy was $$-hungry from Day 1, and didn't really improve as a prospect. He expected top money, and yet has never played an NHL game, nor has he even developed like a top prospect. The Flyers won't likely get their moneys worth.
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