Rumpel signs AHL try-out agreement

Joel Rumpel SOUTHWEST BOOSTER FILE PHOTO BY STEVEN MAH

Swift Current’s Joel Rumpel took a step towards a return to the American Hockey League this week. The veteran netminder signed a professional try-out agreement with the Iowa Wild the club announced on Thursday.

Rumpel, 29, recently made 26 saves in his only appearance for the Kansas City Mavericks in the East Coast Hockey League on Jan. 17, a 5-4 overtime win over the Utah Grizzlies.

The Swift Current Minor Hockey product is coming off a couple of professional stints in Europe, most recently with Stjernen in Norway where he posted a 2.82 goals against average, an .898 save percentage, and a 16-14 record last season.

The Wild’s roster currently features netminders Dereck Baribeau and Hunter Jones. The Wild are the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and play in Des Moines, Iowa.

Rumpel has previous AHL experience with the San Jose Barracuda when he appeared in two games in 2015-16.

The AHL is currently working towards a February 5 start to the 2020-21 season when the Wild are slated to host the Texas Stars.