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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Joel Rumpel is such an easygoing, uncomplicated person it’s easy to see how the junior goaltender for the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team could be somewhat misunderstood.

His calmness on and around the rink can be interpreted as nonchalance. He’s known to wave to fans and go out of his way to track down a souvenir puck for a child as part of pregame warmups.

His casual tempo in preparation for a game can be perceived as a lack of intensity. He’s been known to tank certain drills in practice, refusing to lock in on the shot and make a save because he thinks the activity is tilted toward the shooter.

The fact Rumpel plays a position that tends to celebrate personality quirks — and he doesn’t seem to have any — is another ready source of confusion.

“He does his own thing, and it’s a good thing for him,” UW senior center Mark Zengerle said of Rumpel. “Everyone’s got their own way. You have to pump some guys up and calm others down. I think, with him, you just have to let him do his thing.

“He’s not your prototypical goalie where he’s all whacked out. He does his own thing. He’s one of the guys. Then he goes out and wins.”