Wild's Kuemper Ready To Answer The Call If Needed
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The only thing Darcy Kuemper can do as he prepares for the playoffs is prepare for the playoffs. You have to stay ready.
"When you're not playing as much you just got to take even more reps and just prepare like you are going to play so you're mentally ready to go when you get the call," said Kuemper.
That's the life of a second team goalie. You may never see the ice, but if you do, it's probably when they need you most. Answer the bell and you create your own market.
"I went through this times 10 last year so it's nothing new. I want to be out there playing obviously, but team's rolling right now, so I get it and I'm just staying a little bit extra late at practice and just doing what I can to stay sharp," Kuemper said.
"He knows his role. He's a young kid and that's tough to do as a young kid. But I know when I call him, he's going to be ready," said Wild head coach John Torchetti
If Devan Dubnyk is at his best -- and healthy -- it won't matter. But the two understand this team and one another.
"We're from similar neck of the woods growing up, so we get along really well. It's awesome watching him play when he's playing like this. I just try to support him, and he's supportive of me, so it's a good deal we got going," said Kuemper.
In the meantime, you work and you study. And in the case of Kuemper, you study hard.
"Fantastic kid. Knows the game. If I had to pick one person to draw up systems, he could be the one who draws up the systems. That's how ready he is," said Torchetti.
