Teddy Purcell was born on September 8th, 1985 in St. John’s, NL. Ted went to Xtreme Hockey as a child, participating in hockey schools and with travel teams. While in his teens, Purcell did off-ice training with Xtreme Hockey and also worked with the program as an instructor. Purcell still contributes to the program, as he often donates money to Xtreme travel teams.
Ted played in the St. John’s Caps Minor Hockey system until age 16, when he went to Lake Forest Academy in Chicago, Illinois. After one season in the Midwest, Purcell returned home and played for the St. John’s Maple Leafs Midget AAA team as an over-ager. Purcell was a dominant force at this level, winning the Monctonian AAA Challenge MVP Award and leading the Leafs to an Air Canada Cup National Bronze medal.
Teddy left Newfoundland and played one season of Junior ‘A’ hockey with the Notre Dame Hounds. The following season, Purcell walked on to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL) and made the club. After two seasons in Cedar Rapids, Purcell was recruited by the University of Maine Black Bears (NCAA Div I). Purcell’s stay at the college level was a short one, due to fantastic production. After registering 43 points in 40 games for Maine, Purcell signed with the Los Angeles Kings (NHL).
Purcell has enjoyed a very respectable ten year career at the National League level, registering 264 points in 492 career games. Ted is widely regarded as one of the province’s all-time greatest hockey players.