jumptheshark is a Canucks fan? That explains a lot. I honestly thought he was a self-loathing Oilers fan.
Really good story. I know Robs talks trash sometimes, but that doesn't mean he has a bad attitude. All I've read since we got him is that he has a drive to win.
I'd like to know what really happened with the Ice Dogs, because I read his agent instigated or did something which resulted in Robbie getting benched? Or am I way off base here?
He's going to be a tremendous player for the Oilers someday, that's for sure.
jumptheshark is a Canucks fan? That explains a lot. I honestly thought he was a self-loathing Oilers fan.
Really good story. I know Robs talks trash sometimes, but that doesn't mean he has a bad attitude. All I've read since we got him is that he has a drive to win.
I'd like to know what really happened with the Ice Dogs, because I read his agent instigated or did something which resulted in Robbie getting benched? Or am I way off base here?
He's going to be a tremendous player for the Oilers someday, that's for sure.
I don't recall him being benched - IIRC he left the team, with his agent demanding a trade, and went to try out for the US U-18 team. They had little choice but to trade him to the knights - where he was happy ( perhaps because they were a better team ). Bear in mind I'm not a Mississauga fan so I may be mistaken about the benching. I think the agent tried to take the heat for the demanding of the trade later on but I think that was to help his client.
Anyway - he did get benched by the knights in the playoffs in 2004 - but that was low key with little complaining and Robbie just picking up his defense after that.
Shremp did have some problems with the US Jr Team, I believe though... or maybe it was more the other way around with the US program having a problem with him... ie. because he was playing jr. in Canada. Can't remember the full story.. if someone can remember.. I just remember something about them almost grudgingly accepting Shremp to the team. They knew/know he's good but were upset about where he played jr.... i think.
That's all speculation, and imo, quite bogus.
Guys like O'Sullivan & Fritche were CHLers but were both given major roles on Team USA. So I don't see why they would hold that against Schremp.
However, what is a fact at that tourney was that on at least one occasion he stayed on the ice for too long and the coaches had to scream at him to get off the ice. I think he also got an earful from his teammates at the bench.
That was all shown on TV. I think it was the Belarus game, if my memory serves me correctly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thomasincanada
Are you talking about his time in London? If so I'll have to completely disagree with this as the media here loved him and he rarely (if ever) complained. He took some heat for his defense last year when he was benched and instead of complaining about it, he worked hard to improve it and never got benched again.
I know it's a long season and there will be ups and downs and from all indications he has worked very hard to improve his overall game so, for now, I wouldn't worry....too much.
I am also a non-believer of his so-called "attitude problem" - unless more substantial proof can be shown.
However, what does seem to be a problem is that the kid, even at this stage where he's supposed to be close to making the show, is still having problems making the right on-ice decisions at the junior hockey level. That, to me, is very alarming.
But what can't be denied is the fact that he does have a great shot and Lowe & Co do seem hellbent to let him make the team as a PP specialist. So you just never know.
After all, didn't MacInnis make the Flames based on his shot alone? Or so I read...
"Actually, except for his defensive play, Bonsignore was fairly good too. I
was impressed by the fact that they practically had to chase him off the
ice after the pre-game skate"
That is funny--even more funny when you realize how big of a bust JAson B was
It was bleedingly obvious the talent was there. I went to 3 'dogs games in Fredericton, and all 3 he was first on, last off. (From memory, Bonvie was the second-last.) It just... didn't happen for him, I guess.
5Whole: I think you're violently agreeing with me.
I know it's a long season and there will be ups and downs and from all indications he has worked very hard to improve his overall game so, for now, I wouldn't worry....too much.
I am also a non-believer of his so-called "attitude problem" - unless more substantial proof can be shown.
Damn internet... Forgot about that one. FWIW - Kingston games were little more than practices for the knights last year - one I went to was 14-0 or something for the knights.
At least the article helped confirm the fact that he didn't, IMO, have an attitude problem - he took it quite maturely.
A guy that can hit the net 95% of the time - let alone the same place in the net - would be a significant upgrade on any forward currently under contract.
Significant.
jumptheshark is a Canucks fan? That explains a lot. I honestly thought he was a self-loathing Oilers fan.
Really good story. I know Robs talks trash sometimes, but that doesn't mean he has a bad attitude. All I've read since we got him is that he has a drive to win.
I'd like to know what really happened with the Ice Dogs, because I read his agent instigated or did something which resulted in Robbie getting benched? Or am I way off base here?
He's going to be a tremendous player for the Oilers someday, that's for sure.
I lived in Edmonton from September 80 to June 1992
Shremp dropped from being a top ten pick to barley getting picked in the first round
THERE WAS A REASON! and it was not becuise of me
Absolutely there was a reason - and no doubt some truth to the rumors.
I just think they were blown way out of proportion and some GM's with no balls lost out on a good player and ended up with less talented players *cough* Lukas Kaspar *cough*
my origal response was to the 'complete fabrication' in the title of this debate
Well.. you did appear to have the opinion that Schremp is a huge problem child. Which I don't agree with. I would definately agree that he hasn't been problem free though.
Still haven't seen anyone show documented evidence of the "attitude" problem. He may have an ego but a lot of the good ones do. I wouldn't mind someone on this team that can shoot the puck and actually wants to...
kraigus: didn't realize I was being violent, I do agree with your point, just thought the JB comparison was as unfair as the ones about Kurri, etc. The extra work is just one piece of the puzzle and by itself does not show us anything.
Schremp had some problems, he is cocky and some of the press stories are most likely true. They also had a great story on him during the draft review on the NHL Network. Where a lot of his coaches said that the rumours were highly exaggerated.
Other players that also had early attitude stories about them.
Mark Messier.
Mario Lemieux.
Eric Lindros.
Would anybody not want these players in their prime? I am not trying to say that Schremp is going to turn out like any of the above.
But he seems to have something all three of those players had. Drive, Determination, Love of the game and he is extremely confident.
I have an attitude problem, yet I'm still a star at the cracker factory.
Shremp will be fine.. you have to be cocky/positive to become great. How many people out there who said "I can't do that, I'm no good at X" ever became good at X?
Cocky doesn't always mean bad attitude.. just that one believes in their abilities...
I was there yesterday too, did you notice how he was moving the nets for the zamboni and then propped them up against the glass after the zamboni made the first lap? There was a rink employee coming out to do it, but went back off the ice when he saw Rob had it taken care of.
I've been to a few Oiler training camps and never seen anything like that before. He then signed autographs and chatted with a couple fans that were lined up by the gate.
I can tell you exactly who it reminds me of. Ryan Smyth, he used to do exactly the same kind of things when he was a rookie.
Well.. you did appear to have the opinion that Schremp is a huge problem child. Which I don't agree with. I would definately agree that he hasn't been problem free though.
Tom
No
I have always had the opinion of keeping one eye on him
based upon the fact there were so many reports around his draft year
There are people who are in complete deniel over the fact that there was any problem at all
All I can say is from the 2004 Draft, I thought Schremp would have been picked between teh 7-10 spot and now think he will end up in the top 5 of that draft. Many GM's are going to be kicking themselves in the arse.
I've seen this kid play over a 100 times the past 2 years and let me tell you he loves hockey like no other junior player i've seen. It seems like he's just always at the rink, first one on the ice, last one off of it.
I remember reading a story about him when he was younger he worked at a rink and would never leave. Its good to see someone who loves the game soo much and soo much skill succeeding.
I really wanted him back in London, but if he makes Edmonton I know he'll do us Knights fan very proud.
I personally love cocky players as long as they can back it up because I am one damn cocky athlete as well. You have to think you are better to be better.
IMO Robbie Schremp is simply a kid who has experienced some growing pains. When you're young and everyone's telling you how great you are, you sometimes believe it and your head can grow too large, and this can be painful. Personally, I'm thankful that Robbie had this learning experience in his draft year, otherwise there isn't a remote chance that he's Oiler property. The fortunate side is that Robbie is going to be a great NHLer, and his talent on the ice is without question.
I think that Robbie is obvioiusly a smart kid, smart enough to know that he has made some mistakes in the past. Really, who doesn't? Getting drafted later than he should have will hopefully provide a message that he will retain and grow from. I'm also quite certain that Robbie Schremp's own point of view throughout the ordeal has some validity to it as well. Often a player's point of view is overshadowed by management's, and who is to say that they are correct 100% of the time?
Hopefully, it is an experience that Robbie will learn from, and it will remain planted in the back of his mind throughout his NHL career. A selfish player can simultaneously hurt and help a team, but I don't think that this is a fair label to put on someone as young as Robbie Schremp. I am sure that Robbie will learn to keep his ego in check and use it to his own benefit not detriment. Robbie also seems like the kind of kid who'll want to make his doubters green with envy; and this is a great attitude to have, one that can only benefit the Oil!
Robbie's play on the ice will put any questions to rest. Robbie is going to be a great NHLer, and he'll make Lowe and the Oiler org will look like Mensa members, and he'll leave his doubters feeling...well...green.
I have always had the opinion of keeping one eye on him
based upon the fact there were so many reports around his draft year
There are people who are in complete deniel over the fact that there was any problem at all
So tell me jts...
Do you remember being a teenager?
I remember making some stupid and selfish mistakes.
I've managed to survive my 2 adult children's (and their friends') teen mistakes. And, I still have a teenager (and his friends) at home, so must tolerate more teen goof-ups. Funny thing is, with the right guidance, teen's grow up and take responsibility for their futures.
Thankfully for us, there is nothing that can be done to change Schremp's past.
And, he's had solid guidance over the past couple of years.
He has some attitude alright, but I assure you that it is no problem. His attitude is a bonus. Something that good coaches dream of, because they don't have to work at finding the right stimuli, worry about getting thru and wonder if potential can ever be realized. Rob's 'buttons' are right out in the open, just begging to be pushed.
It's going to be a blast watching him strive to be his best.
Hang onto your hats boys and girls.
Rob Schremp is talented, determined and a quick study.
btw - Two perceived 'bad attitude' incidents (trade demand and PO benching) continually repeated, does not add up to... "the fact there were so many reports around his draft year", no matter how someone spins it.
I am all for cutting the kid some slack and letting his play do his talking. If nothing else Schremp has me more interested in a training camp than any player since Hemsky. I only wish Hemsky had a (so called) bad attitude like Schremp.
Anybody care to guess who countless amount of NBA superstars(past and present), former players, media people say was the biggest trash talker there is? Michael Jordan. He had that cockiness about him, but it wasn't negative. He would yell at players in practise and I recall a time he even slapped someone in the head in practise.
Robbie Shremp seems to have a lot of confidence. After a guy overcomes the mental aspect of the game and feels like he belongs in the NHL, then the rest is just showing off your ability. You can just tell by the way he sounds in interviews that he feels and knows he belongs in the NHL.
FWIW - Kingston games were little more than practices for the knights last year - one I went to was 14-0 or something for the knights.
