Former Rensselaer goaltender Brian Jopling, a member of the 1985 NCAA Championship Team, passed away suddenly after a heart attack, family members said Tuesday.
Jopling, a Bridgewater, Mass., native, served the Engineers between the pipes from 1984 to 1986 and was selected in the 11th round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. He appeared 55 times and started 39 games while pursuing a management degree from RPI.
During Rensselaer’s 1985 championship season, Jopling was mainly a reserve, going 5-1 with a 2.38 goals-against average. The following season, Jopling started 25 contests, going 16-9-1 with a .869 save percentage. He finished his career with a record of 29-10-1, a 3.5 goals against average, and an .875 save percentage.
After hockey, Reebok hired Jopling as part of their design team, and according to family members, he was involved with the production of the original RBK shoe for Allen Iverson back in 1996.
Brian is survived by his daughter Carly.
