CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

Aaron Rome played in one regular and one post-season game the season that the Ducks won the Stanley Cup – game 4, round 1.

He didn’t play in the finals, so received a ring, but didn’t get his name on the Cup.

Rome has played well at the AHL level – scoring 21 points in both 2007-08 and 2008-09.

An NHL scout said of Rome:

“(Rome) is a strong skater, he handles the puck well and I like his passing. In my opinion, he sees the ice well and is able to anticipate plays. He’s also improved his shot which makes him more useful on power plays…Aaron (who checks in at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds) can play physical if that’s what’s called for. And you have to like the fact he can play with an ‘edge.’ He’s not going to let anybody push him around, or his teammates for that matter.”

Rome also played respectable hockey in Columbus.

“Rome got in 17 NHL games [in 2007-08],” wrote John Arvai, “and for better or worse he was our best defensemen on some nights. That’s not a knock on Rome per se but more of a statement in terms of exactly where this team was at with personnel with injuries, trades and under performing players.”

Last summer Columbus brought in extra Dmen, and some thought that Aaron might be one of eight Columbus blueliners.

It appears the Jackets may be willing to carry 8 defensemen next year. If that indeed ends up being the case that puts Rome right in the mix:

Locks: Commodore, Tyutin, Hejda, Klesla, Backman, Tollefsen, Russell

In The Running for 8th Spot: Rome, Methot, Clitsome

I think Rome has the inside track based on his performance last year as he played good solid smart hockey and wasn’t afraid to mix it up.

courtesy of sportsnet.ca

With their young defensemen coming along, Columbus didn’t re-sign Rome and he joined the ‘nucks for the league minimum – $550,000.

courtesy of hockeydb.com

It’s Rome’s willingness to drop the gloves that sometimes brings him attention.

Hamilton broadcaster Derek Wills went on a Montreal radio station and was critical of Rome’s supposed sucker-punching of Bulldogs Chad Anderson.

“I don’t expect that kind of thing from him,” Wills said of Rome. “Maybe it’s an isolated incident. He’s a hell of a player, especially at this level. I was really surprised that he would do that. It caught me off guard.”

The fans at the game saw it differently:

“If you were at the game you would have saw that they were both standing next to each other and then Anderson got real tough and punched Rome in his face. Then when he got dropped to the ice in one punch didn’t look very tough any more.”

Another agreed:

“Rome and Anderson were locked up for some time mouthing off at each other, Anderson then washed Rome’s face with his glove or tried to punch him, but deff. made contact with Rome’s face. Rome then just gave the guy one good punch and he went down [And had to have 26 stitches.].”

“There was an exchange before,” Rome said. “It (the punch) wasn’t just out of the blue. It’s in the past. I’m not worried about what (Wills) thinks.”

Aaron Rome doesn’t take any crap and protects his teammates – and that’s why Mike Gillis signed him.