Rider Alum Purcell Makes NHL Debut
January 16, 2008 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release
Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Former Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Ted Purcell made his National Hockey League debut for the Los Angeles Kings last night in the Kings' 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Purcell, 22, put three shots on goal in 12:26 of ice time while playing on a line with veterans Michael Handzus and Kyle Calder. Purcell came within inches of scoring his first NHL goal when he hit the cross bar in the third period. Just a season-and-a-half after completing his RoughRider career, Purcell joins Calgary Flames forward Dave Moss as the second Rider alumnus to skate in the NHL.
Purcell was recalled from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League on Monday. The St. John's Newfoundland, native was tied for second in the AHL in assists (39) and ranked third in points (53) at the time of his call-up. Purcell also leads all AHL rookies in both assists and points. Purcell was promoted in the wake of a four-point effort (one goal, three assists) last Saturday night in the Monarchs' 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Last week Purcell was named to the starting lineup of the Canadian All-Star team for the January 28 AHL All-Star Game in Binghamton, New York. Purcell was voted into the starting lineup via online fan balloting.
Purcell signed with the Kings in April after a standout freshman season at the University of Maine that saw him help the Black Bears to a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four. Purcell was named Hockey East Rookie of the Year after scoring 16 goals and totaling 43 points in 40 games with Maine last season. He led Hockey East freshmen in goals, assists and points. Overall, Purcell 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. The following 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.
The RoughRiders (21-7-1, 43 points) are currently in second place in the USHL's East Division. The Riders will visit the Chicago Steel tomorrow night before returning home for a pair of games this weekend. The Riders will battle the Steel again Friday night at 7:05 and will take on the Sioux Falls Stampede Saturday evening at the same time.
Tickets for all remaining RoughRider regular season home games- including this weekend's games- are now on sale. Tickets are available for purchase 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. Ticket prices range from $7 to $17 in advance and from $8 to $18 on game days.
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United States Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2008
- Rider Alum Purcell Makes NHL Debut - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
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