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He grew up in the hockey-rich state of Michigan and then suited up for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame where he was a well-respected leader. Now as a rookie with the San Antonio Rampage, Rob Globke finds himself in new territory.

After completing his four years at South Bend, Globke signed his first professional contract with the Florida Panthers and joined their AHL affiliate for the 2004-05 season. After bursting out of the gate with two straight wins, the Rampage came to Edmonton to tackle the Road Runners but dropped the first of the two game series by a 4-3 score.

Despite the fact that players like Jay Bouwmeester, Stephen Weiss and the injured Nathan Horton are garnering most of the media’s time, Globke is a player that scouts have had high on their lists. With the names sharing the room with him, Globke in a lot of ways has become overshadowed this year.

One NHL scout in attendance called Globke one of his favorite prospects from the class of 2002 while another described him as the prototypical forward because of his combination of skill and physical presence.

Globke, (pronounced Globe-key), was a very friendly and willing player to speak to despite his team’s loss that same night. Hockey’s Future spent some time with Florida’s best-kept secret to discuss a variety of topics.

HF: What is the biggest difference you’ve noticed so far between playing at the college level and playing in the American League?

RG: Probably the puck movement. College is a lot different game from here; here it’s much more free flowing and you have to know your position more. College is more up and down and away you go.

HF: Do you expect the travel will be something to contend with?

RG: Ahhhh… man, the amount of games alone is easily double and then you add in the travel, it’s twice as much travel so, yeah definitely!

HF: For those fans that haven’t had the opportunity to watch you play, can you describe your style?

RG: I’m more of a power forward. I like to go up and down the wing, use my shot, get into the corners and bang some people.

HF: You go from being an assistant captain at Notre Dame to being a rookie on a pro team; how do you go from last year to your spot this year?

RG: It’s definitely a big change and it’s kind of difficult. You’re used to being one of those guys in the locker room that players look up to and now you kind of have to know your role. It’s difficult but it’s definitely fun.

HF: At Notre Dame were you a vocal leader?

RG: Not so much as some of the other guys. I was more the guy others would come to if they missed something or something goes by them, more of that kind of leader. I tried to lead with my play. Here though I’m definitely watching and learning!

HF: Roles for players can change with each level they go up. What was your role last year and how has it changed this year?

RG: I was the go-to-guy, the guy they counted on for scoring and that was my role. Coming here it’s a lot different. I’m a fourth line, and maybe a third liner hopefully. It’s my first year and with the lockout and the guys coming down, you have to do the checking role and learn the ropes.

HF: It’s good for your development though, makes you a more rounded player.

RG: Yep, exactly.

HF: Look into your crystal ball and try to envision your role changing for the NHL.

RG: That’s a tough one and it would be up to the coach obviously. I think I could be a second or third line guy and provide some goals but also some grit.

HF: Do you set statistical goals for yourself?

RG: Nope. I set goals for every game; I want to have a certain amount of shots or hits per game and whatever happens after that happens. I think if you concentrate on little things the other stuff will follow.

HF: When you signed your deal back in June, what were some of the things you and Mike Keenan talked about in regards to his expectations?

RG: Actually I cut my deal with (Rick) Dudley. I signed about two days before the switch over so I hadn’t talked to Keenan at all. I have since though, we talked about my coach in Notre Dame (Dave Poulin) because he was a player of Keenan’s in Philly.

HF: Fans are beginning to get to know Keenan from the reality TV show ‘Making the Cut’. What has your experience been with him? Did you have any preconceived opinions shattered since you met him?

RG: A little bit. Everybody has this perception of him as being a real hard…(pauses)

HF: A hard ass?

RG: Yeah, exactly! (laughs) Really, as long as you don’t mess up and you tend to do things right, he’s fun to be around. He talks to you and you can joke around with him but you see a lot of the times guys are pretty scared and still stay away from him anyways! (laughs). As long as you’re doing things right, he’s pretty fair.

HF: How well did you think you played in the Rookie Tournament in Pierrefonds?

RG: I played OK. I would have liked to score more than I did, I got a lot of assists but I would have liked to put the puck away more than I did.

HF: San Antonio is one of the teams with lofty expectations this year. As a rookie, do you sense that you’re on one of the upper echelon teams?

RG: I think we have a good blend of people in different roles. We have a lot of older guys and younger guys as well as guys coming down from Florida which is a big advantage.

HF: Other than Bouwmeester, Horton and Weiss… who else has caught your attention on this team?

RG: Nathan hasn’t skated yet but just being around him is good, he’s actually my roommate in the hotel. I would say Greg “Soupy” Campbell. He’s not the flashiest guy but he comes out every day and gets things done.

HF: What did you study in school and did you complete your studies?

RG: Marketing, four years done!

HF: What do you like to do away from the game?

RG: Watch a lot of TV and read. Pretty boring but that’s what I do!

HF: You’re a Michigan boy so you’re from a hockey state. What do you think it will be like playing in a place like Florida where hockey is an afterthought most of the time?

RG: It’s the same as San Antonio. It’s really different, people like football and that’s about it, college and even high school. It’s different and something that you have to get used to, there’s not as much publicity but it’s almost kind of nice because you don’t have to deal with the media all the time.

HF: Hey, sorry!

RG: Oh no, no! I didn’t mean you! (laughs)

HF: As a young player, the NHL CBA discussions going on, or not going on, will directly affect you for many years. Do you have any concerns or special interests in the negotiations?

RG: I’ve not really been following. It affects me a little bit but not yet too much. I try to stay abreast of it but I just wish they’d get something settled. Being from America and knowing how it is in other states than ones like Michigan or Minnesota, a lot of fans could be turned away and it could really hurt the game in the long run so I just hope they get something done.

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