April 28, 2007
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Purcell Leaves Maine for L.A.
CHN Staff Report
ORONO, Maine — The Kings' raid of college hockey continues.
Hockey East Rookie of the Year Teddy Purcell is leaving Maine after just one season, signing a multi-year entry-level contract with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.
Purcell was an undrafted free agent. The move did not surprise Maine's staff, which was aware of Purcell's desire to become a pro quickly.
"First, I had to decide to leave Maine and the opportunity I had here to continue that success we had," Purcell told the Bangor Daily News. "Then I had to decide which team was the best fit for me. The Kings did a real good job expressing interest in me early and consistently. The general manager [Dean Lombardi] and assistant GM [Ron Hextall] flew to Newfoundland to meet with us. We had a video session."
Purcell played in 40 games this season for Maine and had 43 points (16-27—43), seven power-play goals, five game-winning goals and 34 penalty minutes. His 27 assists led the Black Bears and his 16 goals and 43 points were both ranked third on his team, which reached this year's NCAA Frozen Four.
"He’s a good, young prospect. He certainly brings a dimension the NHL has today and that’s quickness," said Kings scout Bob Crocker, the former head coach at Penn, to the Bangor Daily News. "He’s got good hands, a good head and puck skills. We feel fortunate to have been able to procure his services."
Purcell, a 6-foot-3, 177-pound native of St. John's, Newfoundland, played for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL) prior to attending Maine. With the Roughriders, he helped lead his team to back-to-back Eastern Championships and a Clark Cup in 2004-05. An assistant captain in 2005-06, Purcell led the USHL in assists that season with a franchise-record 52, and he was named to the USHL All-Star Second Team for the second consecutive year.