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The last time Teddy Purcell stepped foot on the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena ice sheet for a game, it was Feb. 24 and the Black Bears beat Merrimack College 5-1 on Seniors Night.
Purcell is a now the American Hockey League’s second-leading scorer (9 goals, 25 assists in 27 games) for the Manchester Monarchs and he will return to Alfond Arena for a game against the Portland Pirates tonight. Game time is 7.
It will be the Pirates’ first-ever game at Alfond Arena.
Brian Petrovek, the managing owner and CEO of the Pirates, explained that they have been looking to play a game in Orono for several years.
“The league has talked about taking the pressure [off] having 40 home games at one venue. They want us to move the product around [to expand the interest]. We’d like to have a game in Lewiston some time,” Petrovek said.
He added that they particularly earmarked midweek games early in the season that traditionally don’t draw as well as weekend games.
He also said they are trying to reach a new constituency among fans who don’t normally get an opportunity to see them play.
Petrovek said he would “love” to return to Orono next season.
Tickets will be on sale tonight.
Purcell was the Hockey East Rookie of the Year last season when he was Maine’s third-leading scorer with 16 goals and 27 assists in 40 games. His 27 assists and five game-winning goals led the team.
He had seven power-play goals, which was ssecond.
The St. John’s, Newfoundland native had four goals and eight assists in 15 games at the Alfond Arena including the overtime game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Northeastern on Jan. 27.
The 22-year-old Purcell, who was Inside College Hockey’s Rookie of the Year, signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He is one of several Hockey East players on the Monarchs’ roster.
Former Boston College stars Peter Harrold (26 games, 6 goals, 20 assists) and Brian Boyle (27 games, 9 & 13) are also on the Monarchs’ roster and Scott Pellerin, the University of Maine’s first Hobey Baker Award winner (1992), is an assistant coach.
Pellerin was inducted into the Maine Hall of Fame in 1997 after an exemplary career in which he notched 106 goals (3rd best) and 117 assists (4th) for 223 points (2nd) in 167 games 2nd).
Manchester’s second-leading scorer is former Denver star Gabe Gauthier (8 & 21), whose goal beat Maine 1-0 in the NCAA championship game in Boston in 2004. Gauthier is one of Purcell’s linemates.
Purcell said he has been happy with his start, especially since “I had no idea what to expect.”
He said he gained 16 pounds through his work in the offseason designed to improve his strength.
His teammates have been helpful in his development, he said.
Purcell isn’t sure what to expect from the Alfond Arena faithful tonight and said it has already been “weird” practicing there.
“We’ve got the visitors’ locker room,” he said.
Trying to shut down Purcell and the Monarchs will be former Maine All-American defenseman Eric Weinrich of Gardiner. Weinrich, who will turn 41 on Wednesday, has two assists in 24 games and is heavily involved in the development of the young defensemen.
Weinrich has 1,157 career NHL games to his credit and he has 70 goals and 318 assists for 388 points. He had six goals and 23 assists in 81 playoff games.
During his career at Maine, the former U.S. Olympian chalked up 16 goals and 54 assists in 83 games.
The Pirates have been led by Andrew Ebbett (8 & 21), defenseman Brian Salcido (7 & 19) and Geoff Platt (11 & 13).
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