Adirondack’s Purpura named Howies Hockey Tape ECHL Rookie of the Month

Action photo of Vinnie Purpura of the Adirondack Thunder

Adirondack Thunder goaltender Vinnie Purpura has been named the Howies Hockey Tape ECHL Rookie of the Month for December.

Purpura went 6-0-1 with a 2.18 goals-against average and a save percentage of .932 in seven appearances during the month.

The 25-year-old allowed two goals or less in four of his seven appearances, and made at least 31 saves in five outings, including a personal season-high 40 stops in a 2-1 overtime win at Trois-Rivières on Dec. 20.

A native of Lemont, Illinois, Purpura is 9-1-3 in 13 appearances with the Thunder this season and ranks third in the ECHL with a 2.35 goals-against average while ranking fourth with a .923 save percentage. He made his pro debut Adirondack late last season, going 2-0-1 in four outings.

Prior to turning pro, Purpura saw action in 53 career games at Boston University and Long Island University going 12-34-1 with one shutout, a 3.38 goals-against average and a save percentage of .894.