RoughRiders Alum Purcell Signs With Los Angeles Kings
April 27, 2007 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release
Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Former Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Ted Purcell has signed with the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings.
Purcell, 21, inked a multi-year, entry level contract and will begin his professional career at the Kings' June development camp. He played for the RoughRiders from 2003 to 2005 before skating for the University of Maine this season.
"Playing for the RoughRiders was a great experience and playing in the United States Hockey League for two seasons really helped my development and helped in getting to this point," said Purcell. "I learned so much from [RoughRiders] Coach [and General Manager Mark] Carlson and the fans in Cedar Rapids were so supportive."
Purcell turns professional after earlier this month capping off a standout freshman season by helping Maine reach the NCAA Frozen Four. The St. John's, Newfoundland, native was named Hockey East Rookie of the Year after scoring 16 goals and totaling 43 points in 40 games with the Black Bears this season. Purcell led Hockey East freshmen in goals, assists and points. Overall, he finished tied for second in the conference in assists, tied for seventh in points and tied for ninth in goals.
Before heading to Maine, Purcell enjoyed a record-breaking two-year run with the RoughRiders. He owns team records for most career points (138), most career assists (99) most assists in one season (52 in 2005-06), most points in one playoff season (14 in 2005) and most assists in one playoff season (9 in 2005).
Purcell scored 20 goals and totaled 67 points to help the Riders to both the Anderson Cup (regular season) title and Clark Cup (playoff) title in 2004-05. Last season he scored 19 goals to go along with his league-leading 52 assists for a total of 71 points as the Riders won a second straight East Division title. Purcell was named to the All-United States Hockey League Second Team each of his two seasons in the league.
"We're very excited for Teddy," said Carlson. "This is obviously great news for him and something he's worked very hard to achieve. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch him as he begins his pro career."
Purcell is bidding to become the second RoughRider alumnus to reach the NHL. Forward Dave Moss became the first former Rider to skate in an NHL game when he debuted for the Calgary Flames in December. Moss went on to score ten goals and total 18 points in 41 games with the Flames this season.
The RoughRiders will begin play in the round robin second round of the United States Hockey League's Clark Cup playoffs next Friday night at 7:05 against the Indiana Ice at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The Riders will play their second and final game of the East Division round robin one night later against the arch rival Black Hawks in Waterloo. The top two finishers in the round robin will advance to the USHL Final Four. The Riders earned a second round berth by sweeping the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets in four games in round one.
Tickets for next Friday's game can be purchased in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or on line at www.roughridershockey.com. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Playoff ticket prices range from $8 to $18 including a 50-cent facility fee.
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 27, 2007
- RoughRiders Alum Purcell Signs With Los Angeles Kings - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
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