Goaltender Joel Rumpel joins Wichita

Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and AHL's Bakersfield Condors, announced the signing of goaltender Joel Rumpel.

Rumpel, 26, enters his third season as a pro after playing last year with the Cincinnati Cyclones. He appeared in nine games, going 4-4-0 with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. Rumpel claimed CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the week of Feb. 27-March 5. During that span, he posted a record of 2-0-0-0, a 1.00 goals-against average, stopped 97 of 99 shots and posted a .979 save percentage over two games.

A native of Swift Current, Saskatechewan, Rumpel was a part of two Kelly Cup championship teams with the Allen Americans. He was signed to a contract by the San Jose Sharks after his senior season at the University of Wisconsin and assigned to Allen. In four games, he went 3-0-1 with a 1.68 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. The following season, Rumpel made 39 appearances, going 21-11-4 with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage for the Americans. He also earned a call-up to the American Hockey League's San Jose Barracuda, going 1-0-1 with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage.

Prior to turning pro, Rumpel had an outstanding four-year collegiate career with the Badgers. He compiled a 53-50-11 record with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage during that time. Rumpel helped guide the team to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances, a WCHA Final Five Tournament championship, and a Big Ten Tournament championship. Additionally, he was named as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, presented to the nation's top collegiate player, and the Mike Richter Award, presented to the nation's most outstanding collegiate goaltender following his junior season.