University of Wisconsin Badgers goaltender and Penticton Vees graduate Joel Rumpel, who made 38 saves to backstop the host Badgers to a 5-4 victory over defending conference champion and No. 5-ranked North Dakota last Saturday night, has been honored as the Red Baron® Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week for October 25.
A 6-3, 180-pound freshman from Swift Current, Sask., Rumpel came through with 38 saves in the Saturday evening contest at the Kohl Center, the Badgers home rink, including 15 in both the first and second periods and helped keep the North Dakota scoreless on all four power-play chances as Wisconsin completed the sweep following a 5-3 victory last Friday (Oct. 21).
Playing in only his third collegiate game, Rumpel’s 38-save performance was the most for a Badger goaltender in a victory since Shane Connelly stopped 38 shots in a 4-1 win over North Dakota on March 7, 2009.
With the Vees, the 20-year-old Rumpel played 69 games from 2009 to 2011 and compiled a 46-15-3 record with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage
Getting an honourable mention for the weekly WCHA award was another Vees alum, Denver University defenceman Joey Laleggia.
