Life in Pro Hockey with Rob Schremp

Note: Periodically throughout the season, Oilers’ prospect and current Springfield Falcons’ winger Rob Schremp will provide Illegal Curve readers with a unique insight into the world of professional hockey.

Here is Schremp’s first entry:

The start of this season has had its ups and downs so far for myself. There are so many mental things that go on at the beginning of the season as far as training camp, and being cut, and trying to get called up. So far, this year has been way better than last year mainly because I was called up to the NHL six games into the season. Additionally, I have really enjoyed the way Bucky (Springfield head coach Kelly Buchberger) has been coaching me as a player. I’ve had a much better start to this season than last and a lot of that progress is a credit to Bucky. He has given me the opportunity to play my game, and allowed for me to make the odd mistake knowing that i will make up for it in the offensive zone.

The toughest part playing in the AHL is just trying to stay focused strictly on playing hockey and not worrying about who is getting called up to the NHL, or when (or even if) you are going to get the call. Being called up to the NHL so early into the season was awesome, but at the same time, it sucked being sent back down two games later. The excitement level is so high when you get called up, and then to get the news a week later that your flight leaves at 11 back to Springfield, that is tough to take, and is something that no player can get used to.