SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Houston Aeros goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been named the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month for December. Kuemper made eight appearances during the month and went 3-1-3 with a 1.72 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
Kuemper made his AHL season debut on Dec. 2 and stopped 23 shots in a 4-3 victory at Rochester. From Dec. 6-11, he went 2-0-2 while allowing just four goals on 134 shots, earning Reebok/AHL Player of the Week honors; that stretch was highlighted by his first professional shutout, a 33-save effort vs. San Antonio on Dec. 9.
A 21-year-old from Saskatoon, Sask., Kuemper has seen action in nine AHL games since being recalled to the Aeros on Nov. 28 and is 3-2-3 with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. A 2009 draft pick by the Minnesota Wild, Kuemper was the Western Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year and Player of the Year in 2010-11, when he went 45-12-5 in 62 appearances for Red Deer and led the WHL in wins, GAA (1.86), save percentage (.933) and shutouts (13).
In recognition of his achievement, Kuemper will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Aeros home game.
