Two former Hockey East goaltenders commit to Long Island University

Vinnie Purpura was 0-4-0 with an .895 save percentage in six games for the BU Terriers. (Getty Images)

A pair of former third-string goaltenders in Hockey East will be joining the newly formed program at Long Island University.

LIU head coach Brett Riley gained commitments from ’98 Vinnie Purpura and ’95 Stephen Mundinger. The duo are the first two goaltenders to commit to the fledgling program.

Purpura, from Lemont, Ill., spent parts of two seasons at Boston University. He joined the Terriers prior to the second semester of the 2018-19 season. Purpura appeared in just six games during that span, compiling a 0-4-0 record with an .895 save percentage.

Prior to his time with BU, Purpura played in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers and Youngstown Phantoms. The 6-foot-6 netminder had a .916 save percentage in 23 games with Omaha in 2017-18. He had a .912 save percentage in three games with Youngstown in 2018-19. Purpura played youth hockey for the Chicago Mission and Chicago Fury.

Whether or not Purpura is eligible in 2020-21 is still up in the air. He has to file a waiver to be granted immediate eligibility. Typically, players have to sit out a year in residence, but the NCAA has been a little more accommodating lately.

Mundinger was on the Maine roster for four seasons but didn’t get into game action as a senior. The Smithtown, N.Y., native will be eligible immediately as a grad transfer. In five appearances that totaled just 67 minutes, he had an .892 save percentage for the Black Bears.

With Mundinger slated to be a backup, I’d expect Riley to bring in another goaltender to compete for the Sharks’ starting job.