Prospect Spotlight: Jake Kupsky

It is often difficult to project how hockey players will develop. It is perhaps even more challenging with goaltenders. For this reason, many great NHL netminders fall to the later rounds or even go undrafted. Sharks goaltending prospect, Jake Kupsky waited until the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft before hearing that he would become the 193rd draft choice and the latest prospect of the San Jose Sharks.
Kupsky, listed at 6'4" and 200lbs, has nearly the exact same measurements as current Sharks goaltender Martin Jones. Kupsky is currently playing his best hockey in his third season at Union College.
Kupsky was primarily slotted in a backup role during his first two seasons with Union. During the beginning of this season, he continued battling for the starting goalie role and has since secured it with a remarkable second-half performance.

"Jake caught fire and earned the job, he grabbed it," said Union head coach Rick Bennett to Mike MacAdam of The Daily Gazette. "He's arguably the hardest working goaltender that I have ever had a chance to be around. He keeps the focus and keeps the noise behind. To me, that's what makes great hockey players, the guys who are consistent with their games. That's what we're looking for and hopefully Jake can continue that."

During the month of February, Kupsky went 6-0-1 allowing just one goal in five of those six games. He led the ECAC in total wins (6), save percentage (.952) and goals against average (1.41) over that span. It was announced on March 2, 2018 that Jake Kupsky would be awarded as ECAC Hockey's Goaltender of the Month for the month of February.
Kupsky is undoubtedly having the best season of his college hockey career, leading Union College into the ECAC postseason.
"He has been playing great for us, we can't ask for much more. He has been lights out making some incredible saves and at big moments too." Union junior center Brett Supinski said of Kupsky.
Kupsky and the number two seeded Union Dutchmen will face Princeton in a three-game series March 9-11. Union recently beat Princeton 3-1 on February 17 on the back of Jake Kupsky's 28-save performance.
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