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Dan Turple
Dan Turple Born New Year’s Day 1985, Hamilton’s Dan Turple is presently tending goal for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers, Chicago’s parent club, in the sixth round of the 2004 NHL draft, Turple started in the Hamilton Rep system, then played with the Stoney Creek Icebreakers and other Tier II Junior hockey before signing on with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. Leaving Kingston after the 2003-04 season, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound goalie went to play for the Oshawa General, but it was when he played with the Kitchener Rangers that he showed his true potential. For the 2005-06 season, he played 57 games and produced a solid 40-15-2 with a 2.25 goals against average. He was honored with the Dave Pinkney Trophy with Mark Packwood for top team goaltending in the league. The next season he signed on with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL, playing 34 games. After a short tenure with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL as a back-up goalie, he returned to the Gladiators for the 2007-08 season, but has also seen action with the Wolves, where he is still on a learning curve. Turple knew he had to learn the next level of hockey after his time with the Duluth-based Gladiators. “I would love to be in Chicago next year,” he said in a May 2007 interview, “and this experience (with the Gladiators) has helped me get adjusted to the skill of the players at this level. This is almost a tryout for all the guys who are in the same position as me. You know you’re not going to play but if you work hard, they’re going to remember that come next year when they’re deciding between you and another guy.” At present Turple is biding his time, and doing his best when called upon. “If you’re good enough, someone will find you.”
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