Kenny Reiter knows a thing or two about paying your dues.
After joining the University of Minnesota Duluth program in 2007-08, Reiter spent the next two seasons dutifully biding his time as the Bulldogs' No. 3 goalie (backing up the likes of All-American workhorse Alex Stalock) and, with the exception of an exhibition win over the U.S. National Under-18 Team in December 2007, did not receive one second of crease time during that stretch. Two years ago, he was finally rewarded for his patience with a starting assignment in 25 of UMD's 38 games and wound up crafting the fourth best goals against average (2.36) and saves percentage figure (.912) in team history. He followed that up with a brilliant junior year, establishing career bests in wins (16), appearances (31), goals against average (2.30) and saves percentage (.914) while backstopping the Bulldogs their first NCAA championship. The reigning NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player, Reiter currently owns a .662 lifetime winning percentage (off an 41-19-8 record) -- a mark bettered by only one other previous Bulldog (Rick Kosti, .753 between 1983-85) and holds a share of the top spot on UMD's all-time shutout charts with nine. And, his puckstopping prowess only seems to be improving with age as he has racked up the second most victories (he's 12-2-3 on the year) of any goaltender in the nation and will head into the second half of the 2011-12 season sporting a 14-game winning streak, a 2.26 goals against average and a .917 saves percentage.
Reiter, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., is also no slouch in the classroom either, having been bestowed with a WCHA Scholar Athlete Award in each of the past three years.
HIS FAVORITES
Opponent: Minnesota
Arena: Verizon Wireless Center (Minnesota State-Mankato)
Road Trip: Anchorage, Alaska
Professional Athlete: Tiger Woods
Professional Team: Investment Fundamentals
Pastime: Playing Xbox 360
Prized Possession: My Computer
Book (Author): 11Seconds (Travis Roy)
Television Show: Entourage
Actor/Actress: Vince Vaughn
Movie: Wedding Crashers
Singer/Group: Eric Church
Food: Any kind of seafood
Restaurant: Casa Lupita (White Bear Lake, Minn.)
Video Game: Modern Warfare 2
Vacation Spot: Crane Lake
Web Site: www.youtube.com
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: The location and to play in the WCHA
First Played Competitive Hockey: Age 5
Hockey Strength/Weakness: My size/ My speed
Game Day Ritual: I play a few games of solitaire and hearts
Most Memorable Hockey Moment: Winning the NCAA championship
Best Player I've Ever Played Against: Phil Kessel
Pet Peeve: People who chew with their mouths wide open and campers on Call of Duty
Biggest Fear: Snakes
My First Job: I caddied when I was 13 years old
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I'd be laid back, lazy, leave my dishes all over the house and never take out the garbage--- just like Travis Oleksuk
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Carrie Underwood
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I was once charged by an elk
Why I Wear No. 27: I wore No. 9 growing up, but that wasn't available in high school so 27 was the next best thing because 2+7=9
Sport I'd Like to Try But Never Have: Surfing
Influences on My Athletic Career: My parents and youth coaches
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My chapstick
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Work hard and have fun
Post-UMD Plans: Play hockey and win the lottery
