2017: Appeared in all 19 games during the season, leading the team in goals, assists, and points. Popp’s six goals on the season were tied for fourth-most in the conference while his 15 points were also tied for fourth-most in the GLIAC. The junior scored four points on October 1 versus Ashland scoring once and assisting on two more goals. Popp also scored three points on September 10 versus Marygrove with one goal and one assist. In the team’s GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal victory over Tiffin, Popp scored in the first period to give NMU the lead in what would eventually be the first postseason win in program history. Named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team.
2016: Tied Nic Harenda for third on the team with two assists. Tied Sveinn Karlsson for first with 35 shots. Sent 14 of those shots on target, the second most on the team. Was one of five players to start at least 15 games.
Before NMU: Popp is set to join the Wildcats after leading Louisburg College to the 2015 NJCAA Division I National Championship, its first national title won by any men's team on campus. As a freshman, he recorded 21 points (5g-11a), the fourth-best total on the team, as the Hurricanes achieved a No. 1 national ranking and a 24-1-0 record. Before embarking on his collegiate career, Popp started for Vardar Academy's U-18 team and led Detroit Catholic Central High School to the Division I Regional Finals.
Popp comes from a family rich in Northern Michigan athletics history. His father, Rick, quarterbacked the 1987 football team that won the GLIAC crown with an undefeated record and reached the national semifinals. His mother, Sue, captained the basketball team that went 24-4 and qualified for the 1989 national tournament. In 1960, his grandfather, Bill, "Sugar," helped the football team make the NAIA national playoffs.
