Top 10 Prospects: #5 Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper

Goaltender

Born: May 5th, 1990

Height: 6'4" Weight: 196 lbs

Shoots: Left

2012-13 Team: Houston (AHL)/Minnesota (NHL)

Acquired: 6th Round Pick (161st overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft

Previous Rank: NR

Entering last season, Darcy Kuemper was the 4th goalie on the Wild's depth chart behind Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding, and Matt Hackett. After Harding went down and Matt Hackett was traded at the deadline (Kuemper was standing at the airport on deadline day not knowing whether he was traded or being called up), it was Kuemper who found himself suddenly in the second slot on that depth chart.

Kuemper had a very solid season at Houston (13-8 with a 1.88 GAA in 21 games) before getting called up to the Wild, where he backed up Niklas Backstrom in the regular season, then Josh Harding in the postseason.

He showed great poise in the net in his 6 regular season appearances, even though he had more relief appearances than starts. His postseason appearances were forgettable, but how can you blame a 23 year old rookie goaltender against the best team in the NHL?

Heading into 2013-14, Kuemper will start the season as the #1 goalie for the AHL team in Iowa and will be the first call-up should Backstrom or Harding go down with injury.

Team of 18,001's 2013-14 Top 10 Wild Prospect List

1. Wednesday

2. Tuesday

3. Monday

4. Tomorrow

5. Darcy Kuemper

6. Erik Haula

7. Raphael Bussieres

8. Zack Phillips

9. Mario Lucia

10. Gustav Olofsson

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