On August 16th, 2024, the Reading Royals announced they have signed former Adirondack Thunder Goaltender Vinnie Purpura. On July 31st, 2024, it was announced that the Royals acquired Purpura’s rights from Adirondack, along with Right Winger Travis Broughman for Tag Bertuzzi.
The Lemont, IL native is 25 years old and entering his second professional season. In the 2022-2023 season, Purpura signed with Adirondack after his collegiate career came to end and played in four games that season. He ended those four games with a 3.46 GAA and a .906 Save Percentage.
Purpura re-signed for the 2023-2024 season with Adirondack. During the course of the season, he dressed in 25 games and posted a 15-4-4 record. He ended the 2023-2024 season with a 2.78 GAA and .908 Save Percentage. Purpura did earn a call up to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL during the season, but did not play in any games.
Prior to his professional career, he played at Boston University for a total of six games. Purpura then went on to Long Island University for three years. In his time at LIU, he played in 47 games and posted an average of a 3.35 GAA and .895 Save Percentage.
“I am super excited to be signing with the Reading Royals. I can’t wait to get things started in October. I can’t wait to see the fans fire and energy come October as well.”
- Per Royals PR- Vinnie on signing with Reading
“Vinnie brings a lot of size. 15-4-4 record last season with Adirondack so great numbers, great size and is a great kid. He understands what his role needs to be as far as waiting for his time, but he knows and I know when his time comes, he’s going to be ready. Vinnie has proven himself at this league, he’s excited to be on our side of things this season, and is another guy that when he gets the opportunity to play and it’s against Adirondack, he’s hopefully going to make (Adirondack) regret everything that they did this summer by trading him.”
- Per Royals PR- Head Coach and GM Jason Binkley on signing Purpura
