Playing career

Enforcer Dale Purinton was drafted in the 5th round, 117th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the early part of his career in the WHL, ECHL, and AHL before his NHL debut in the 1999-2000 season.

In 181 NHL games Purinton racked up 578 penalty minutes to go with his 4 goals and 16 assists. After completing the 2007-08 season with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, he became an unrestricted free agent and upon failing to sign with a new team, subsequently retired.

Coaching career

He was hired as head coach of the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL on October 18, 2009.

He was also hired as head coach of the Kerry Park Islanders of the VIJHL on unknown

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992-93	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
1994-95	Tacoma Rockets	WHL		65	0	8	8	291		3	0	0	0	13
1995-96	Kelowna Rockets	WHL		22	1	4	5	88		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Lethbridge Hurricanes	WHL		37	3	6	9	144		4	1	1	2	25
1996-97	Lethbridge Hurricanes	WHL		51	6	26	32	254		18	3	5	8	88
1997-98	Charlotte Checkers	ECHL		34	3	5	8	186		—	—	—	—	—
1997-98	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		17	0	0	0	95		—	—	—	—	—
1998-99	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		45	1	3	4	306		7	0	2	2	24
1999-00	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		62	4	4	8	415		23	0	3	3	87
1999-00	New York Rangers	NHL		1	0	0	0	7		—	—	—	—	—
2000-01	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		11	0	1	1	75		—	—	—	—	—
2000-01	New York Rangers	NHL		42	0	2	2	180		—	—	—	—	—
2001-02	New York Rangers	NHL		40	0	4	4	113		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	New York Rangers	NHL		58	3	9	12	161		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	New York Rangers	NHL		40	1	1	2	117		—	—	—	—	—
2004-05	Victoria Salmon Kings	ECHL		25	3	9	12	192		—	—	—	—	—
2005-06	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		25	3	3	6	109		10	0	2	2	45
2006-07	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		55	3	7	10	240		5	0	1	1	29
2007-08	Lake Erie Monsters	AHL		35	0	4	4	193		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				181	4	16	20	578		—	—	—	—	—

Suspensions

This is a list of suspensions that he has received:

• April 8, 2008,

The AHL suspended Purinton three (3) games for his actions during an April 4 game in Hamilton.

• March 27, 2008,

The AHL suspended Purinton three (3) games for his actions during a game on March 26. The three-game suspension was automatic after Purinton received his fifth game misconduct in the general category this season.

• March 20, 2008,

The AHL suspended Purinton one (1) game for his actions during pre-game warms ups prior to an AHL game against Grand Rapids.

• March 15, 2008,

The AHL suspended Purinton for 2 games for accumulating 4 misconducts in one season. His latest came in the first period of a game against the Grand Rapids Griffins in which he kneed right winger Jamie Tardif.

• February 19, 2008,

The AHL suspended Purinton for four (4) games for his actions in a game against Hamilton.

• October 19, 2007,

The AHL suspended Purinton for 25 games for punching Stars' forward Marius Holtet in the head from behind with a gloved fist after the completion of play during a game between Lake Erie and Iowa.

• April 26, 2006

The AHL suspended him for 1 game for instigation a fight during the last 5 minutes of a game.

• October 1, 2005

On October 4 the NHL handed out a 10-game suspension for an attempt to eye-gouge Colton Orr in a pre-season game.

• 2004-05 season in the ECHL

suspended by the ECHL on December 10 for 6 games for elbowing a player into the head during the game vs Bakersfield on December 7.

Later in the season the ECHL suspended him for 3 games for his refusal to stop fighting and pulling the hair of a player. As a result, the Salmon Kings released him. He only played 25 games that season and racked up 192 penalty minutes.

• February 2002

The NHL handed out a 3-game suspension for a sucker-punch to Jason Blake of the New York Islanders.

• October 2001

The NHL handed out a 7-game suspension for a cross-check to the head of Stephen Peat of the Washington Capitals.

• September 2001

The NHL handed out a 4-game suspension for beating up goaltender Garth Snow in an NHL pre-season game.

• 1999

Purinton suspended by the AHL for 3 games during the 1998-1999 season.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]