Michael "Mike" Rupp (born on January 13, 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

[edit] Playing career

Rupp was originally drafted in the first round, 9th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Unsigned, and still playing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Erie Otters, he returned to the draft and was selected 76th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils.

Mike played his first professional season in 2000–01 with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL), an affiliate of the Devils. Rupp made his NHL debut in the 2002–03 season with the Devils where he helped them win the Stanley Cup, scoring the Cup-clinching goal. Rupp is only player in Stanley Cup history to have his first playoff goal be the Stanley Cup winning goal.^[1]

The following season in 2003–04, Rupp was traded by the Devils with a second round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes for Jan Hrdina on March 5, 2004.^[2] After the NHL lockout Rupp was traded by the Coyotes along with Jason Chimera and Cale Hulse to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Geoff Sanderson and Tim Jackman on October 8, 2005.^[3] Columbus declined to submit Rupp (a restricted free agent) a qualifying offer in June 2006.

On July 9, 2006, Rupp signed a 1-year, $450,000 contract to return to the New Jersey Devils.^[4] After a successful season establishing himself as a gritty hardworking player Rupp re-signed with the Devils on June 28, 2007, to a two-year contract.

On July 1, 2009, Rupp signed a 2-year, $1.65 million dollar contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

[edit] Awards and achievements

• 2002–03 - NHL Stanley Cup

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Personal life

His childhood ice hockey teams included the Parma Heights Wings Municipal Hockey Club, where he started playing at age 9. Rupp is a self professed Born Again Christian who became devoted to his faith after meeting his future wife Christi while he was playing in the OHL for the Erie Otters.^{[citation needed]}After winning the Stanley Cup with the Devils Mike came to Southpark Mall in Strongsville, Ohio and showed the Cup and signed autographs for his home state fans. Mike is also known to be close friends with Tiger Woods. Tiger even admitted to having lost to Mike in a round of golf a few years ago^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Michael Rupp's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database