CAMP NOTEBOOK - September 23

WILKES-BARRE, PA –   Until about three weeks ago, Nathan Schwartzbauer’s home was just a small town just north of Anchorage.  Now, it seems as though he’s from the center of the universe – or at least the political universe.

Schwartzbauer, who is in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s training camp on a tryout basis, hails from Wasilla, Alaska.  The town was recently made famous by Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who formerly served as Wasilla’s mayor before winning election to the Alaskan governor’s office.

Nathan Sschwartzbauer Audio | Dan Bylsma Audio

“I grew up kind of knowing her.  My dad was on the same PTA board as her,” said Schwartzbauer, 26.  “I played hockey against her son Trak…and their son-in-law Levi.  We kind of run into each other now and then.”

It’s been quite a whirlwind of excitement for the town of less than 10,000 since Palin was chosen to run with Senator John McCain. 

“I got up in the morning, turned on the computer to see what was going on in the news [one day], seeing Sarah Palin was the headline,” said Schwartzbauer.  “I was like, ‘No Way!’  Before you know it, media is roaming around everywhere, Larry King is calling one of my dad’s buddy’s. 

“You’ve got Jay Leno talking about your little town.  It’s just kind of neat, kind of cool that people are talking about your town now.”

But while he’s happy to talk about his hometown, Schwartzbauer is hoping to make a name for himself during training camp.  The 6-4, 210 pound defender spent his rookie season with Youngstown of the Central Hockey League, recording 11 points and 62 penalty minutes in 64 games.

“Youngstown was a good learning experience, I had a great coach in Kevin Kaminski.  He taught me a lot about playing the professional style of game, how to get out there, be assertive, make yourself be known,” said Schwartzbauer.  “Hopefully this year I can prove to the coaches here that I can step it up and be a factor here among this fantastic program.”