CARDIFF,U.K-Former University of North Dakota winger Mike Prpich has become the Devils’ third (of eleven) import signing for the 2008-09 UK Elite League season. Prpich’s signature along with already signed Brad Voth and Derek Campbell, show the Devils will not be intimidated by anyone next season. Last season, fans had a taste of what Prpich can offer in his seven games for the Devils before injury cut his season short. There is no doubt they are hungry for more. He is undefeated in a Devils uniform and his arrival sparked an eleven game winning streak that briefly took the Devils to the top of the Elite League. Fans will be looking forward to seeing what Prpich can achieve over a full season and his arrival very much carries the excitement of a new signing.
Photo by Helen Fryer (Official Cardiff Devils photographer)
Before turning professional, Prpich was part of a North Dakota team that achieved runner-up in the 2005 NCAA Frozen Four. He has an excellent pedigree as a former member of one of the NCAA’s top hockey clubs and Devils’ coach Gerad Adams is excited by the quality Prpich brings to the organisation. “Prpich only has one season as a professional, but scored 14 goals in just 16 games in his first playoff run, that says a lot about his character,” Adams said “His energy on the ice was infectious last season and was evident in the way the team played and the results we achieved while he was here last season.” Prpich’s talents do not stop there. In his only full professional season he amassed 188 penalty minutes in 64 games and continued this trend with 46 penalty minutes in 16 playoff games. Prpich’s highlight in a Devils uniform came in their 6-2 home win over Nottingham Panthers. He completed a Gordie Howe hat trick which included his first and only Devils goal and a toe-to-toe battle with Panthers’ Kevin Bergin which was widely regarded as one of the top fights of the Elite League season. However, Adams is happy to remain patient at the start of the 2008-09 season. “Prpich has had some time away from the ice due to his injury and while fully healed, he will take some time to get back up to speed, we’re looking to start seeing the performances we know he’s capable of from November onwards,” Adams said “Mike is excited about coming back to Cardiff to show everyone what he can do.” Fans can expect to see Prpich line up alongside Brad Voth on the Devils’ second line either side of another import signing. Whoever Adams signs to fill that role can be secure in the knowledge that they will have plenty of protection to play their game with Prpich and Voth on their flanks.
Contact the author at Aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com Related
