Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues are currently in our 27th season in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and we have seen over 350+ alumni play in the NCAA and beyond. This week we look to highlight some of the most outstanding play among our alumni from this past weekend: here is our weekly Alumni Report!
Brandon Puricelli had quite a season in 2018-19 to finish off his junior hockey career. In 59 regular season games last year Puricelli had 30 goals and 50 assists, he would add two more goals and an assist in four playoff games en route to Team MVP, All-NAHL 2nd Team, All Midwest Division Team, Midwest Division MVP, and Midwest Division Forward of the Year accolades. Now, as a freshman at the Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth, Puricelli has 1 goal and 1 assist in 6 games. Over the weekend, the Ellisville, MO native scored his first NCAA goal against the Univ. of Minnesota on Friday in a 5-2 win and recorded his first assist in Saturday’s 2-0 win.
Pat Curry has continued to help lead the Boston University Terrier’s this season as he collected 2 goals and an assist over the weekend against UMass-Lowell and New Hampshire. Curry, who is the team Captain, has 6 goals and 2 assists on the season including points in all 5 games to start the campaign. The Schaumburg, IL native is currently tied for 2nd in the NCAA in goals, trailing only NHL 1st Rd. Draft Pick Cole Caufield (7). Curry is currently in his senior season at BU and participated in the St. Louis Blues development camp this past summer.
Kelly Klima, who is entering his second professional season, had a stellar performance in his season debut for the Rapid City Rush (ECHL) on Friday night. The Tampa, FL native recorded all 4 goals for the Rush in their 4-3 victory over the Utah Grizzlies. Klima scored in all three periods and two of his goals were on the power play. Last season he scored 14 goals and added 14 assists for the Norfolk Admirals before tallying one assist in 10 games for the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL). Klima participated in the Arizona Coyotes development camp this past June and began the season on Tucson’s roster before being sent down.
Speaking of the Rush, veteran goaltender Tyler Parks has been remarkable to start the 2019-20 campaign. On Saturday night Parks stopped 27/29 shots in regulation, both shots in overtime, and stopped 6/7 shooters in the shootout to pick up his 3rd win in a 4-3 victory. The Imperial, MO native now has a 3-0-1 record with a .932 SV% and 2.16 GAA in four appearances. Since turning professional out of Adrian College in 2015-16, Parks has bounced back and forth between the Peoria Rivermen (SPHL) and various ECHL teams.
Other Alumni of Note:
- Dryden McKay: 1-0-0, 14/15 (Minnesota St.-Mankato – NCAA)
- Tommy Nappier: 2-0-0 44/47 (Ohio State – NCAA)
- Sam Saliba: 2 A (Michigan State – NCAA)
- Les Lancaster: 1 A (Allen Americans – ECHL)
- Alex Jaeckle: 1 A (Norfolk Admirals – ECHL)
- Max Kalter: 3 G, 6 A in 6 GP (Cergy – France)
- Tim Santopaolo: 1 G, 1 A (Columbus River Dragons – FPHL)
- Jack Williams: 1-0-0, 26/27 (Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL)
