JOEL RUMPEL »» MEN'S HOCKEY Badgering...
One of three Badgers in the mix for UW's starting goaltender role, freshman Joel Rumpel has split playing time with fellow freshman Landon Peterson so far this season. The nephew of 1980 Badger All-American goaltender Roy Schultz, Rumpel hails from Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He played his junior hockey for Penticton of the British Columbia Hockey League before arriving in Madison.
You uncle, Roy Schultz, was an All-American goalie at Wisconsin. What advice did he give you before you got here? "He told me a few things, but there are two I take with me. Enjoy the journey. He said he was just trying to get out of here and get to his pro career and rushed things. He never sat back to take everything in and appreciate everything that he was given here. He also told me you get treated better here by the community, the fans and the team than you do once you turn pro."
Talk a little bit about your skill at chess. "I like to play a little bit. My brother and I are pretty competitive when it comes to chess matches. Anybody wants to take up the challenge, I'm up for it. I think I'm pretty good."
What is the wheat on the back of your goalie mask for?
"I come from a small, farming province. It is a million people, but one of the smaller provinces in Canada. We have a farm just west of the city we live in. My grandpa is a farmer and I just wanted to give a little shout out back home to Saskatchewan."
What is the relationship between you and the other goalies fighting for playing time?
"It has been interesting. Nothing is set in stone, but it has been fun. Off the ice, we are all great friends and we hang out and go out together, but on the ice we compete pretty hard. You see one guy make a save, you want to stay in there and make a bigger save. It will make all three of us better goalies in the end."
20 » VARSITY NOVEMBER 10, 2011
