Avalanche Sign Purinton, Rycroft and Jillson

[Thrillhouse]

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the signings of forward Mark Rycroft and free agent defensemen Jeff Jillson and Dale Purinton to one-year contracts.

“Mark is a hard-working player who provides energy to our roster,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere.

Rycroft, 27, heads into his fifth NHL season. He appeared in 66 games last season and recorded 12 points (6g/6a), exceeding his point total from the previous year in St. Louis (10 pts.). He ranked second among Colorado forwards in hits (80).

Jillson, 26, was a first-round draft choice of the San Jose Sharks (14th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’3”, 220-pound native of North Smithfield, Rhode Island is a veteran of 140 NHL contests with San Jose, Boston and Buffalo. As a three-year letterman at the University of Michigan from 1998-2001, Jillson earned second-team All-American honors in 2001 and first-team All-CCHA honors in 2000 and 2001. He led all CCHA defensemen in points during his 2000-01 collegiate campaign. In his rookie NHL season with San Jose in 2001-02, he led NHL rookies with 12 power-play assists and ranked second with 15 power-play points.

Purinton, 30, is a veteran of 181 NHL games, all with the New York Rangers from 1999-2004 where he amassed 578 NHL penalty minutes. The 6’3”, 226-pound native of Fort Wayne, Indiana appeared in 55 games last season, recording 240 penalty minutes with the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL). Purinton was originally drafted by the Rangers (117th overall) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

“Dale adds a measure of size and toughness to our organization’s depth chart and Jeff brings offensive ability from the blue line,” said Avalanche Assistant General Manager Greg Sherman. “They each have a solid balance of experience both at the American Hockey League and NHL levels.”

[Podollan]

Jillson was horrible in Germany.. he has a lot of talent but thats it.

Purinton is an interesting signing for Lake Erie. I don't wanna have him as my #1 Fighter but well, at least it won't be boring with his cheap stuff.

[ValJamesRules]

Originally Posted by Podollan

Jillson was horrible in Germany.. he has a lot of talent but thats it.

.

Right on about Jillson. I watched him for two seasons in Rochester, and I don't remember anyone getting heckled as bad as he did. He has no heart. He was great on the point on the PP, has a real heavy shot, but he plays like a puzzy and can't make a decent pass.

[Rellstone90]

Glad to see Purinton get picked up by the Avalanche. Hopefully he can get called up for a few games this season

[Colt Seavers]

Originally Posted by Rellstone90

Glad to see Purinton get picked up by the Avalanche. Hopefully he can get called up for a few games this season

If Scott Parker has a year like he did in 2006-7, he probably will!

[Humpzilla]

Wow, Purinton with the Avs. I didn't exactly see that coming....

[Purely_Purinton]

Suprise move there, Purinton finally leaving the Rangers organization..hoped to see the big guy back leading the Pack. If he makes the Avs it'll be an absolute miracle but at least hes playing AHL hockey for another year. Here's to cheap shots, cross checks, eye gouges and gamers!

[danski]

Oh sh1t, Dirty Dale a Lake Erie Monster. I'm pretty sure they're rolling through Philly this year so I should get to see him. He usually stirs it up pretty good.

[Captain Crunch28]

Good to see him leave the Rangers, it was obvious that he'd never see the NHL again if he stayed with them. Now hopefully he can make the Avs team, and maybe even play with them for a good part of the year!

[intricateproces]

damn. was hoping Purinton stayed in Hartford. Guy was a loose cannon,always fun to watch

[DaveBrown69]

WTF. Purinton to the Avs!

[AVALANCHE FAN]

Originally Posted by intricateproces

damn. was hoping Purinton stayed in Hartford. Guy was a loose cannon,always fun to watch

Not gonna happen they already have Parker for the tough guy position theirs always a chance he could get called up but I wouldnt hold my breath.

It is nice to see them signing some UFA`s even if most of them will end up in the minors.

[PsuNate1977]

Purinton still has a 10 game suspension to serve in the NHL.

[BGDDYKWL]

Originally Posted by PsuNate1977

Purinton still has a 10 game suspension to serve in the NHL.

I believe the Rangers finagled that by calling him up so he was on the roster and thus serving the suspension. Couldn't swear to the fact that he served all 10, but it had to be close. As for Purinton himself, I'm one of the very few who actually like the guy, as I was a Rags fan when he first broke into the league. He also improved his game quite a bit from those early days, and turned himself into at least a somewhat decent player. He was the type of guy who would take on all comers no questions asked, but that led to a lot of unecessary PIMs, and you could tell that he was on a far shorter leash than he would've liked. Also, I don't believe he's ever even been TKO'd. And I realize he's been involved in a number of questionable incidents, so I certainly understand why he isn't terribly well-liked, but the bottom line is any game he's in is more entertaining because of him. It would be great to see him back in the NHL, but unfortunately I just don't see it happening.

[staal4pm]

I'd be willing to bet a reasonable amount of money that Purinton won't play a game in the NHL this year. I'd still like to see it though. Purinton is a guy everyone loves to hate and the Avs see the Boogeyman 8 times so who knows....