URBOM ENJOYS AHL ALL STAR SHOW
(Courtesy of Rob Henderson, Brandon Sun) — While most of his teammates are taking a breather from the grind of the American HockeyLeague, former Brandon Wheat King Alex Urbom took a walk on the boardwalk this past weekend.
Early last week, the 21-year-old defenceman from Stockholm, Sweden was a late addition to the Eastern Conference Roster for the AHL All-Star Classic that was held Monday at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
“Of course I was a little bit surprised,” said Urbom, in his second professional season with the AHL’s Albany Devils, “but I think I’ve been having a good year and I’ve played a couple games up in the NHL, too, so I was just excited when they told me.
“I don’t really have any experience of all-star games before, so it’s going to be new for me, so we’ll see.”
A 2009 third-round National Hockey League draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, Urbom has a bit of experience playing in Atlantic City. Albany played four home games there last season and Urbom is sure the festivities will be a pretty good show.
“It’s a fun city to be in, so I think it’s going to be a good time,” he said.
A member of the Wheat Kings’ 2010 Memorial Cup team, Urbom had picked up a goal and nine points in 30 games with Albany this season. He’s also played five NHLgames in New Jersey, scoring once. Offensively, he’s actually a little behind where he was as a rookie last season, when he produced 23 points in 72 games in Albany, but after posting a plus/minus of -9 in 2010-11, he’s +4 so far this season.
“This year, probably I guess (the priority has been)trying to work hard on playing defensively and don’t have so much up and downs in my game, like really play good every night,” the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Urbom said.
“I’ve only heard positive things from up there (in New Jersey) about how I’ve played this year. I know they’re happy about me right now, so I’m just going to keep working hard and hopefully, I get the chance (to play full-time in the NHL) soon.”
Of course he likes getting in on the attack, too. He got an early Christmas present by scoring against the Washington Capitals on Dec. 23 and has two goals in 13 career NHL contests.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “It’s a dream when you score a goal in the NHL.”
Meanwhile, both Devils teams are showing significant improvement from last season. New Jersey is in the thick of the NHL playoff hunt after missing out last season.
As for Albany, a club that finished last overall in the AHL in 2010-11 at 32-42-1-5, was a respectable 18-15-5-3 entering this past weekend. That still leaves Albany short of a playoff spot, tied or 11th place in the Eastern Conference, but Urbom is confident his team will make a run at the post-season.
“We have a good team down here,” he said. “I think if we just keep working hard, I think we’re going to make the playoffs.”
ONE-TIMERS: Urbom’s opponents in the all-star game included former Wheat Kings teammate Colby Robak of the San Antonio Rampage and Brandonite Alex Plante, a member of the Oklahoma City Barons who is slated to start for the Western Conference. The Western Conference won the game in an Overtime Shootout.
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 28, 2012
