Profile
#3 Cory Purk
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Height: 5' 9" Weight: 170 lbs. Position: Defenseman Shoots: Left | Hometown: St. Louis, MO Age: 39 Year: Junior Major: Undeclared |
| More About Cory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cory Purk was welcomed to UMSL as a rookie defenseman in '06-07 after a year at Northwest Missouri State.
At first glance, Cory's skillset and playing style are uncannily similar to those of another UMSL defenseman.
That defenseman happens to be Doug Purk, who happens to be one of the pillars of UMSL roller hockey. Doug is a national champion and a four-year standout who's best known for having the deadliest slapshot in the league.
Maybe it's just the matching red helmet - but the resemblance is no accident, since Doug is Cory's brother, older by 27 months.
Family tie or not, Cory's regular spot in the varsity rotation was well-earned. The UMSL organization has a wealth of defensemen, but Cory set himself apart right away, and when the games began, he proved himself worthy.
Competing against a murderous schedule in his first weekend of college roller hockey, Cory paired with fellow newcomer Eric Thompson on a defensive combo that immediately looked like one of the league's best. Cory's most impressive plays were a pair of key pokechecks against Wash U. Both plays gained possession for the Rivermen, and both possessions would end in UMSL goals.
Purk would finish the first semester with five points in six games while playing key minutes next to Thompson on what may have been the best second pairing in Division II college roller hockey.
For the second semester, Cory shifted to forward, where he paired with Jason Shields as the lefty-shooting half of a quick, nasty scoring line. He enjoyed a breakout February during which he occasionally was the Rivermen's most dominant player at practice. Cory's speed, scoring touch, and willingness to backcheck have made him a key part of the forward rotation.
2007-08 Second GPCIHL Event Weekend (Nov. 17-18): Scored his second goal of the season Saturday evening against Illinois State. GPCIHL Season-Opening Weekend (Nov. 3-4): Performed well in the biggest role of his UMSL career to date . . . Scored a first-period goal to give Tritons a 2-0 lead in eventual 9-3 win over UM-Rolla in the season opener . . . Was an end-to-end presence throughout the weekend.
2006-07
GPCIHL Regional Championship Tournament (March 4): Contributed significantly on a forward line with Shields despite not scoring . . . Stood out defensively in the championship game against Truman State . . . Continues to exhibit the speed, toughness, and instincts to consistently be an end-to-end presence, and is quickly developing into a star.
Fifth GPCIHL Event Weekend (Feb. 10-11): Points in all three games . . . Continued to pair with Shields, also took a few shifts with Ben Lambert in Zach Stacy's absence . . . Scored goals against Kansas State and SEMO, assisted on James Wetton's second goal against Western Kentucky.
Fourth GPCIHL Event Weekend (Feb. 3-4): Cory responded to the challenge of his first high-pressure college game by playing extremely well in the weekend opening loss to Truman State . . . Was one of four UMSL players (including brother Doug and linemate Jason Shields) to truly step up in the season's most important game . . . Cory was also excellent in UMSL's 7-2 win over Wash U, despite not scoring . . . Scored a nasty, top-shelf third-period goal in the Rivermen's 9-5 win over Missouri State . . . Assisted on Shields' crucial first-period goal in UMSL's eventual 5-3 win over Saint Louis.
Third GPCIHL Event Weekend (Jan. 20-21): Cory took advantage of a surprise move from defense to forward to score twice and finish with three points in the weekend finale vs. SIUC; paired with Jason Shields on the team's most productive line during the 10-2 win . . . Career-high three assists in the weekend opener vs. SEMO, including an assist on his brother Doug's first-period goal, the first Purk-to-Purk connection of their brief time as college teammates.
Second GPCIHL Event Weekend (Nov. 18-19): Had another consistent weekend . . . Scored his first collegiate goal vs. Kansas State . . . Added another vs. Western Kentucky . . . Finished weekend with two goals, four points.
GPCIHL Opening Weekend (Nov. 4-5): During his collegiate debut, performed extremely well on both ends of the floor and played a regular shift . . . Assisted on Eric Thompson's third goal against Wash U, a second-period marker that gave UMSL a 5-4 lead.
GAME LOG
High School: Bishop DuBourg '05 |