Salem Native Jake Pappalardo Playing For The SPHL's Birmingham Bulls

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Salem native Jake Pappalardo, a center for the Birmingham Bulls, netted a second-period power-play goal — his first goal of the young season — in his team's 2-1 win over the Huntsville Havoc on Nov. 4.

For his effort, Pappalardo, 25, was named the No. 1 star of the game for the Bulls, who play in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Pappalardo — who graduated from Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire, and played collegiately at Maine and Holy Cross — is back in Birmingham after playing 25 games for the Bulls during the back half of last season.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Pappalardo had 10 goals and 15 assists for Birmingham.

"(Pappalardo) was a huge addition last season when he became a Bull," Birmingham coach Craig Simchuk said this past August when Pappalardo re-signed. "We have high expectations for him this season to grow as a player in all areas of the game."

After finishing up at Holy Cross in 2021, Pappalardo began the 2021-22 season with the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL, which is considered the premier "AA" hockey league.

Pappalardo played 16 games for the Oilers, recording a goal and an assist. He was released by Tulsa this past January, eventually dropping down a tier to play in the SPHL.

This past fall, Pappalardo went to training camp with the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen on a professional tryout contract. But he was released on Oct. 12 and returned to Birmingham.

After playing his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maine, Pappalardo transferred to Holy Cross. He sat out the 2018-19 season and then recorded 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 30 games for the Crusaders in 2019-20.

The following season, 2020-21, Pappalardo had five goals and three assists in 13 games during a campaign shortened due to the pandemic.

Pappalardo and the Bulls are scheduled to host the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday, before visiting the Macon Mayhem next Thursday.