Kumpel played for the University of Massachusetts Lowell from 1980 to 1983. In 1983 he joined the United States national team, playing there for two years, including the 1984 Olympics. Selected by the Quebec Nordiques 108th overall in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Kumpel finally joined them in 1984-85 after the Olympics. He split time between the Nords and the minors and was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1987. One year later he was sent to the Winnipeg Jets. He got in three seasons with the Jets before ending his career in the minors in 1993.