Pittsburgh Hornets Hockey Association "Pipeline to the Pro's" Runs Strongs-More on Nate Guenin's NHL Pro Debut with Philly Flyers

Flyers Notes - 'Nasty Nate' makes debut on defense Flyers Notes

When they were youngsters playing bantam hockey for the Pittsburgh Hornets, Nate Guenin knew that R.J. Umberger was going to make it. Why? His father told him so.

"We played together on that Hornets team for four years," Guenin said, laughing. "I remember my dad telling me as a bantam player - bantam! - that R.J. would play in the NHL.

"I said to him, 'Dad, how do you know that?' I was 13 when he told me that. He said, 'He's going to be a good NHL player.' And he was right. R.J. was hands-down the best high school player in Pittsburgh. He had the skill and everything else."

Last night, the guy they call "Nasty Nate" made his Flyers debut, becoming the 41st player this season to be listed on the roster. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Guenin will get a look from the coaching staff now that defenseman David Printz has been sent back to the Phantoms.

It's an ideal situation for Guenin, who - like Umberger - played at Ohio State. A losing team? He might impress here as a steady, stay-at-home defenseman.

"I think any opportunity to play in the NHL is a great opportunity," the 24-year-old Guenin said, "even if you are struggling. Whether it is a first-place team or last-place team, someone who is coming in has something to prove and has to show why they deserve to be here."


At Wednesday's practice, Guenin and Umberger shared some laughs. "We were saying, 'Who would have thought back to when we were 12 or 14 that two kids from Pittsburgh would end up in the NHL or on the same team?' " Umberger said. "It's a big day for the Hornets."

Umberger said he had nothing to do with nicknaming Guenin "Nasty Nate."
"I got that nickname a bit in juniors," Guenin said. "Guys just started calling me nasty, and it kind of stuck with me through college. Maybe the way I played. Hey, the style was not very pretty, but it got the job done."

Added Umberger: "Nate loves to step it up and hit guys and be physical. Once he establishes himself, the fans in Philly are going to love him."