He spent the early part of his career in the WHL, ECHL, and AHL before his NHL debut in the 1999–2000 season.

After completing the 2007–08 season with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, he became an unrestricted free agent and upon failing to sign with a new team, subsequently retired.

Purinton was hired as head coach of the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL on October 18, 2009.

Purinton was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but his family moved to Sicamous, British Columbia when he was four years old.

[1] On August 11, 2015, Purinton was arrested in Oneida County, New York on charges of burglary.