Mike Prpich

Mike Prpich (born March 27, 1982) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player of Croatian ancestry. He plays both wing positions and is currently a member of the Kenaston Blizzard who play in the Sask Valley Hockey League.

Playing career Born in Kenaston, Saskatchewan, Prpich started his career as a junior for the Penticton Panthers in the BCHL where in the 2000–01 season he played 52 matches scoring 25 goals and 21 assists. Four years of study (2002–2006) at the University of North Dakota was the springboard for his future. Specifically, during this period in the NCAA he played in 160 games with 31 goals and 21 assists culminating with a conference title in his final year in 2006.

After his senior season of collegiate hockey, Prpich made his professional debut at the end of the 2005–06 season in a brief stint with the Iowa Stars of the AHL, playing only two games. However, in the 2006–07 season, as the member of the New Mexico Scorpions, who play in the CHL, he shined and has excelled in 64 duels with 23 goals and 22 assists. AHL and CHL experience opened doors to the highest British EIHL league and the Cardiff Devils with whom he had spent two seasons. In his last season with the Devils he led the team scoring 35 goals and 34 assists in 57 games.

On June 30, 2009, Prpich signed a one-year contract with Croatian team KHL Medveščak in the Austrian Hockey League. In the 2009–10 season, Prpich scored 6 goals in 47 games as the Bears progressed to the playoffs. On September 28, 2009, Mike was suspended for 3 games after fighting a Vienna Capitals player and finished the season amassing 116 penalty minutes.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2000–01 Penticton Panthers BCHL 52 25 21 46 192 — — — — — 2002–03 University of North Dakota WCHA 40 8 9 17 55 — — — — — 2003–04 University of North Dakota WCHA 37 9 6 15 95 — — — — — 2004–05 University of North Dakota WCHA 39 7 1 8 76 — — — — — 2005–06 University of North Dakota WCHA 45 7 5 12 104 — — — — — 2005–06 Iowa Stars AHL 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2006–07 New Mexico Scorpions CHL 64 23 22 45 188 16 14 6 20 46 2007–08 Cardiff Devils EIHL 7 1 3 4 5 — — — — — 2008–09 Cardiff Devils EIHL 47 28 31 59 79 3 0 3 3 6 2009–10 KHL Medveščak EBEL 47 6 2 8 90 11 1 0 1 26 2010-11 Newcastle Vipers EIHL 35 16 32 48 114 — — — — —