On Thursday September 24th, the Idaho Steelheads announced the re-signing of American goaltender Jake Kupsky. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season.
Kupsky re-joins the Steelheads after making his debut with the team last season. He did so, starting in two games while having been loaned from the SPHL. While with the Steelheads, Kupsky had a 1-1 record, allowing only four goals with a 1.98 GAA. He also recorded a .935 save percentage.
Since his league debut in Boise, Idaho, Kupsky went on to play six games in South Carolina with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. During his tenure there, Kupsky made 129 saves for a 2.20 GAA and a .915 save percentage. This made for a 3-1-1 record. Overall, Kupsky has played in eight games with a 2.14 GAA and a .921 save percentage.
In a statement from Everett Sheen, head coach of the Idaho Steelheads, he said, he said of the team’s latest signing, “Jake had a tremendous showing for us last season in his short stint with us Steelheads. He is an excellent goaltender who has proven his abilities at every level. We are excited to see how his game can grow given a full season here in Idaho.”
Kupsky began his pro hockey career with the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the SPHL. There, he played fourteen games, recording a 1.84 GAA and a .933 save percentage. Along with an 8-3-3 record, this also included one shutout.
While in the SPHL, Kupsky also earned awards for the best GAA as well as the best save percentage for the season. Prior to making the jump pro, Kupsky played 59 games in the NCAA with the Union College Dutchmen. While at Union College, Kupsky had a .900 save percentage and a GAA of 2.86. He amassed these totals through 3,121 minutes. During his junior season, Kupsky received a selection to the NCAA Third All-Star Team.
Upon signing his contract on Thursday, Kupsky said about his return to the hockey club, “I’m really looking forward to being back in Boise. I loved my time there last year and I can’t wait to get to work with the guys soon.”
The former seventh-round pick is collectively the twelfth signing for the Steelheads this year and also the first backstop to sign.
Steelheads 2020-21 Roster Thus Far
Defensemen: Jeff King, Evan Wardley, Kenton Helgesen, Matt Stief
Forwards: A.J. White, Will Merchant, Colby McAuley, Zack Andrusiak, Cody Fowlie, Kyle Marino, Zach Walker
Goalies: Jake Kupsky