Feb. 3, 2002
Notre Dame, Ind. – By Adam Porcelli
It is not uncommon for a sophomore college hockey player to be over 20 years of age. Instead of attending college immediately following high school, these players first spend time playing prep school hockey or junior hockey.
This is not the case for Notre Dame sophomore Rob Globke. The 19-year old right wing played a year of junior hockey with the U.S. Under-18 team at the ripe age of 16 years old after finishing high school in three years.
An outstanding student, Globke was able to accelerate himself through high school on the advice of his high school coach so that he could play a higher level of competition.
Globke arrived at Notre Dame as a 17-year old, an age that was unique to most of his freshman class. It was also something new for Notre Dame head coach Dave Poulin.
“Rob is the youngest player I’ve ever coached in my seven seasons at Notre Dame,” says Poulin.
“It’s amazing how well he has played and matured while being younger than the players around him. On and off the ice, he has matured a great deal which is not easy with the expectations at Notre Dame.”
A native of West Bloomfield, Mich., Globke values the year he spent with the USA Under-18 team in his development.
“Playing against the best players in the country, you see how much skill it’s going to take to get to the next level. Off the ice, the level of training was something I had never seen before. I learned a lot about the importance of conditioning and training. It definitely prepared me for college as a player and person,” says Globke.
The 6-3, 214-pound Globke chose Notre Dame because he felt comfortable with the coaching staff, the academic challenge and the chance to be a part of a building program.
As a freshman, Globke was an honorable mention CCHA all-rookie selection when he scored 17 goals and nine assists for 26 points. He is currently fifth on the team with 16 points on seven goals and nine assists. Clearly, Globke has emerged as one of Notre Dame’s premier players.
“He is obviously one of our top players,” says Poulin.
“Robbie plays on the power play and is out there to provide offense. He is somebody that we look to come through in key situations.”
Globke sees his role on this season’s squad the same as his coach.
“My role is to be a great offensive player,” says Globke.
“I’m someone who is expected to score big goals and put points on the board. I am out there to do what I need to offensively to help this team win.”
Nine (five goals, four assists) of Globke’s 16 points came in the eight games prior to last weekend’s series at Miami when he centered a line with senior David Inman at left wing and junior Michael Chin at right wing. The three players combined for 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) during the eight games together. Globke knows why that line was successful.
“We all have size, speed, and strength and have the same style of play. I think that allows us to have success. Off the ice, we are good friends. We joke around in the locker room. I think being good friends helps us to be successful,” explains Globke.
While Globke has experienced success at Notre Dame, he has had other successful ventures since joining the Irish.
In each of the last two seasons, Globke has been a member of the U.S. Junior National Team. He is quick to admit that the experience has been beneficial to his hockey career. It has exposed him to the great young talent in the world and given him better understanding of what facets of his game he needs to improve.
After two successful stints with the U.S. Junior National Team, it comes as no surprise that the NHL’s Central Scouting has Globke projected as a first round pick in the 2002 Entry Draft. He hesitates when asked about his status.
“I really don’t know what to say,” says Globke.
“I don’t want to sound like I am bragging, but I would say that after playing against the competition in the World Championships, I feel I have the skills to compete with those players and the ability to improve to advance to the next level.”
Poulin finds it easier to evaluate his talented forward.
“Rob is extremely creative. He has the ability to do something very rare in hockey and that’s the ability to create his own shot. He is big and strong with great hands and speed. His biggest weakness is that he’s sometimes too creative. He is working on letting the game come to him more,” says Poulin.
Irish hockey fans saw Globke’s creativity in Notre Dame’s Oct. 12 game versus Union College when he scored on a rare penalty shot. Globke raced in on Dutchmen goaltender Brandon Snee, faked to the right, then pulled the puck to his backhand and slid it past Snee who was pulled out of position by the move.
“His creativity came out there,” recalls Poulin.
“On that play, he showed exactly what his skills are and what ability he has. It was not surprising to see him do that, though, because we see that every day in practice.” Poulin believes that Globke is on his way to becoming a player ready for the next level.
“He is definitely not a finished product yet,” says Poulin.
“NHL teams know this, but he has the tools to become a finished product. He is a much more complete player this year than he was last year. He is using his teammates better and has improved his play without the puck. He has also improved on the mental side of the game. If he just continues to round out his game, Rob will have a lot more success down the road.”
Globke has things in perspective when it comes to his future. He is more concerned with his overall improvement and his education.
“My main concern is getting better, especially since right now I do not have the kind of offensive numbers I would like. No question I am looking forward to the draft. Being drafted in the first round gets all the publicity and is something that I will be able to look back on when I’m older. Hopefully, I can keep improving and in a couple of years I’ll be ready to move on to the next level. Right now, I am just happy being at Notre Dame,” says Globke
With his immense talent, who knows how far Globke can go? With his low-key, positive attitude and strong work ethic there’s no question the Irish have a star in the making.