Apr. 12—GRAND FORKS — UND goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter will begin his pro career in the American Hockey League.
Semptimphelter signed a tryout deal with the Bridgeport Islanders, the top minor-league affiliate of the New York Islanders. He will be teammates with UND classmate Cameron Berg in Bridgeport.
Semptimphelter was UND's primary starter this season after transferring from Arizona State.
The Marlton, N.J., product went 18-11-2 with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage for the Fighting Hawks.
He was at his best in the final two months of the season, posting a .926 and leading all of college hockey in saves above expectation (11.8).
Semptimphelter, 6-foot-1, was undrafted.
Prior to UND, Semptimphelter played two seasons at Arizona State and one season at Northeastern.
He finished his college career 53-40-6 with a 2.63 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and nine shutouts.
Semptimphelter is the sixth member of UND's eight-player senior class to sign a professional deal.
Five have signed in the AHL — Semptimphelter, Berg, Jackson Kunz (Abbotsford Canucks), Jake Schmaltz (Providence Bruins) and Carter Wilkie (Calgary Wranglers). Grand Forks native Dane Montgomery signed with Stuttgart in Germany.
UND sophomore Caleb MacDonald signed an NHL contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
