Former Highlander Prepares for Second Pro Hockey Season

, a former Highlander and Robert Morris University Colonial, is preparing for his second season in professional hockey.

After spending his first season with the Reading Royals—an East Coast Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs— in the spring of 2011, Urban said that he has high expectations for his second year.

“I just want to keep improving my game every year and working my way up the ranks in the professional level,” Urban said, adding that he won't be satisfied with his performance as he continues to improve.

After signing with the Royals in early March 2011 after his senior season at Robert Morris, Urban played in 14 regular-season games as a Reading rookie, scoring three goals and adding six assists. He also appeared in six playoffs game with the club, which competes in the AA, or second-highest level of minor professional hockey in North America. Reading was eliminated in the conference semifinals round of the ECHL postseason.

Urban, a smaller defenseman at 5-foot-10, 173 pounds, has prided himself on being a scorer, using his speed to his advantage. While at Robert Morris, he led all College Hockey America conference defensemen in scoring with 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 2008-09.

After Robert Morris switched conferences, Urban led all Atlantic Hockey conference defensemen in scoring in 2010-11 with 40 points (eight goals, 32 assists). The 32 assists led all Atlantic Hockey players.

Urban is the Colonials' all-time leading scorer among defensemen with 28 career goals and 84 career assists for 112 career points.

Urban, who played at Baldwin High in the 2000s, said that he strives to continue his offensive playing style at whatever level he's at.

“I'm ready to take on that challenge of trying to be a high-scoring defenseman in the pros, as well,” he said.

Urban said that he found many differences from the college game to the minors early on in his professional career, especially the playing schedule and the travel. Playing in two cities in two days is very different from the two games per week that he often had in college.

The busier schedule has forced him to adjust his play during games.

“You need to learn how to shorten your shifts and be conscious of the ice time you're playing a game,” Urban said, “because you might have three games in four nights where you don't have much rest to bounce back. And you need to play at top level in all of those games.”

Urban is still competing for a roster spot in the Maple Leafs camp this preseason, even though he's a long shot at making a National Hockey League roster right now. He's unsure of which level he'll be playing at in 2011-12, but he said that he has gained valuable experience from key situations with the Royals, including last season's playoffs, not to mention the time that he has had during the Leafs' training camp.

“It helps out your confidence,” Urban said, “and knowing you have the skill level and ability to play in those key situations.”

Stay tuned to the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch for updates on Urban.