The Reading Royals have announced that they’ve re-signed goaltender Vinnie Purpura for the 2025-26 season. Purpura, 24, went 11-6-5 with a 2.49 GAA and .922SV% in 24 games last season. He led all Royals goaltenders in GAA and SV%. He would get the nod in Game 3 of the North Division Semifinals, where he stopped 33 of 36 shots he faced in an OT loss to the Trois-Rivières Lions. Purpura is currently the only goaltender signed to an ECHL deal with the Royals for the 2025-26 season. He will likely split time with Keith Petruzzelli or Yaniv Perets, who both signed AHL deals with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Petruzzelli saw action in 34 games last season with the Royals.
The Lemont, Illinois, native began his career with the Adirondack Thunder. In 29 games with Adirondack, he put up a 17-4-4 record with a 2.87 GAA, .907SV%, and one shutout. Purpura was traded to Reading on July 31st, 2024 in a deal that brought the playing rights for Tag Bertuzzi to Adirondack. He also signed a PTO with the Syracuse Crunch in November of 2023, but didn’t see any action in the AHL.
“Goaltending is the most important position in hockey, we are lucky to have one like Vinnie” stated Head Coach & General Manager Anthony Peters. “He had a great season last year and I look forward to watching him compete every day and building on that this year.”
Head Coach Anthony Peters on the re-signing of Purpura (Via Reading Royals Press Release)
Prior to going pro, Vinnie Purpura would spend parts of five seasons at the NCAA level. He began his career with Boston University, as he saw just six games with the Terriers. In those six games, he went 0-4 with a 3.73 GAA and .895SV%. The 6’6 goaltender would spend his final three years of eligibility at Long Island University. In 47 games with the Sharks, he would put up a 12-30-1 record with a 3.35 GAA and .893SV%.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
