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Moorhead Hires Purpur as Next Girls Hockey Head Coach
Grand Forks native brings championship pedigree to Spuds program
Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:22pm
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Moorhead High School has named Casey Purpur as the new head coach of its girls varsity hockey team. Purpur, a Grand Forks native, comes to Moorhead after spending the past eight seasons as an assistant coach with the Edina Hornets, helping guide the team to three state championships and eight straight state tournament appearances. Purpur also had a successful playing career, serving as captain of the 2010 Grand Forks Central state championship team before playing juniors hockey and Division I college hockey.
Why it matters
Moorhead's girls hockey program has seen success in recent years, making a pair of state tournament appearances under previous head coach Ryan Kraft. The hiring of Purpur, who has a proven track record of winning at the highest levels of Minnesota high school hockey, signals the school's commitment to building on that momentum and taking the program to new heights.
The details
In his eight seasons as an assistant coach with Edina, Purpur helped develop more than 25 Division I hockey prospects and led the Hornets to three state championships. As a player, he was the captain of the 2010 Grand Forks Central state championship team before playing juniors hockey with the Alexandria Blizzard and then Division I college hockey at Northern Michigan University. Purpur is the grandson of former NHL player and University of North Dakota hockey head coach Clifford 'Fido' Purpur.
- Purpur was named the new Moorhead girls hockey head coach on April 1, 2026.
- He spent the past eight seasons as an assistant coach with Edina High School.
The players
Casey Purpur
The new head coach of the Moorhead High School girls varsity hockey team. Purpur is a Grand Forks native who comes to Moorhead after spending the past eight seasons as an assistant coach with the Edina Hornets, helping the team win three state championships.
Ryan Kraft
The previous head coach of the Moorhead High School girls varsity hockey team, guiding the program to a pair of state tournament berths over the past seven seasons.
Clifford 'Fido' Purpur
Casey Purpur's grandfather, who was a former NHL player and head coach of the University of North Dakota hockey team.
What they’re saying
“We're thrilled to have Casey join our program and bring his championship pedigree to Moorhead. His track record of success and player development is exactly what we were looking for to take our girls hockey team to the next level.”
— Moorhead High School Athletic Director
What’s next
Purpur will begin his new role immediately, leading the Moorhead girls hockey team through the offseason training and preparation for the 2026-27 season.
The takeaway
The hiring of Casey Purpur as the new Moorhead girls hockey head coach represents a significant investment in the program's future success. Purpur's championship experience and player development expertise should help elevate the Spuds to new heights and continue the team's recent run of state tournament appearances.
