*Nice Isles wallpaper!*
He was Edmonton’s first round draft pick in 2004. They obviously thought he had potential. The young American from Syracuse, NY played in the World Junior Championships two years in a row, 2005 and 2006, and had points in each of those series.
But Rob Schremp didn’t play for the Oilers very much. In three seasons, he played exactly seven games. Instead they had him in their AHL affiliate most of the time. He played ONE NHL game in thee 200-07 season, two in the 07-08 season and a whopping four in the 2008-2009 season. His best season was in Springfield during 07-08 when he played 78 games had 23 goals, 53 assists for 76 points; he was still a -15 though. The next season, also in Springfield, he didn’t fare as well ending with 42 points with seven goals and 35 assists for a total of 42 points. But he was a -26 that year.
On September 29th of 2009, the Oilers decided to waive him. It was a gift from the hockey gods. But not at first. When Rob arrived on Long Island he seemed a bit like a fish out of water. He seemed a little nervous, anxious and jittery. I came to realize that this is basically his natural state as he is one tightly wound bundle of energy. According to THN Robs assets are his skill and finesse and flair for the dramatic as well as being able to score points at will. However, they questioned his work ethic and called him an “inconsistent skilled playmaker.”
If you ask Robbie what his shortcomings are, I’m sure he’d tell you. I’m not quite sure if he’d say he was inconsistent, but I know he feels he has to work harder because he’s “not very big.” No, he’s not. But his size, speed and intelligence make him an asset.
For Scott Gordon, Robbie was more a spare part than an asset. At the start, he had no place to put him. To his credit, every time I saw him at practice or an event, Schremp was always upbeat and positive and just looking for a chance to hit the ice. He is jovial and engaging with the fans and never complained publically about his time sitting out. Not even to me; the woman who asked him almost weekly. What he may not have known was that I asked Scott Gordon almost DAILY, “Will you let Robbie play?” It became a mantra.
But through other’s bad fortunes, Rob did play 44 games in an Islanders sweater and lucky 13 did his best to impress. He impressed so much that TSN has him nominated for a play of the game contest. You can
vote here for him. Rob’s skill and energy are exactly what Scott Gordon needs on his bench next season. I think he can be cultivated into someone exceptionally entertaining to watch for Islanders fans – if given the chance.
On Monday 4/12, with his newly repaired knee doing very well, I spoke briefly with Rob and asked him the same questions as everyone else. Of course, interviewing Schremp is like trying to interview Robin Williams. He’s just a jokester that thrives on making people laugh. The more his audience laughs, the more his blue eyes sparkle.
I asked him what he would be working on most this off-season.
“I always hit a fade off the tee. I gotta start hitting a draw – and my putting has been terrible.” He looked up at me from his chair outside Gordon’s office. When I stopped laughing I asked what the connection is between hockey and golf.
“Golf is relaxing. It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s a good game. It keeps you out of trouble. You play a round of golf for four hours, you come home and you’re tired and you go to bed early.” He gave me a sly smile.
Being a the funny man he is, when I asked him what his best accomplishment was this season he answered
“Having a bank role to buy nice stuff. No… Just being able to be in the line-up every night; being an NHL player every day instead of being a call-up.” It was the only straight answer he had given me that day.
Much the same way Tim Jackman does, Rob Schremp understands the privilege it is to be an NHL player and knows that it is not a given, especially not for him.
I asked him at what point he gets antsy to start the new season.
“April 20th.” This bundle of energy just doesn’t quit. All the while he was sitting there, he was fidgeting.
With the Islanders out of the playoffs I asked Rob if he would have any interest in watching them this season.
“Oh Yeah! Big time! It’s the best part of the year. It’s good to be part of it, bit if not – we get to watch it.”
All things being considered, I’d look for Rob Schremp to be a big part of the Islanders Community Events this summer. I think they should give him his own comedy hour on ITV or maybe bring him down to the Hockey School at IceWorks and let him teach the kids those Lacrosse moves of his. But mostly I look forward to Garth Snow handing him a pen and making him sign his name on the dotted line for a new contract.
Thirteen really isn’t THAT unlucky.
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