TEMPE –– "I connect so strongly with the team identity: blue collar, earn everything. I feel like that relates to my story and my career."
At this moment, TJ Semptimphelter is riding high in the No. 1 spot between the pipes for the Arizona State men's ice hockey team. The sophomore goaltender finished four-straight road starts to kickoff the 2022-23 season, including 157 saves and his first-ever collegiate shutout.
But this time last year, Semptimphelter was a rookie at Northeastern, riding the bench behind Devon Levi, the Mike Richter award winner for most outstanding goaltender in college hockey.