WSU hockey announced on Monday the signing of Jesse Pope to the roster for next season. The 19-year old goal tender just wrapped up his second year with the University of Wisconsin-Milwauke and will be joining the Cougs for his junior year.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native stands at 5-foot-10 and was one of four goaltending options for the Panthers this past year in Milwaukee. With seven games of work last season, Pope rang up a .873 save percentage with a 6.08 goals against average, the worst on the team.
Of course, he did that while leading the team for both saves (296) and shots faced (339). All year long he was peppered with the puck and still managed a save percentage north of .860.
His freshman year was marginally better, with Pope playing 13 games and recording an .877 save percentage. That year he was one of only two goaltending options for the Panthers.
This season, the Panthers finished third place in the NCHL Orange division in the ACHA. They finished just below the Milwaukee School of Engineering, a team that WSU played against early this year.
Prior to the Panthers, Pope rattled around Canada playing for numerous teams at a variety of different levels. However, with five seasons of high level hockey, Pope has yet to have a campaign with 5+ games and a save percentage over .900.
How Pope will fare in Pullman is unknown. But, on a team that is in need of goaltending depth, Pope will be a handy man to have in the blue paint all year long in the Pac-8.
