Ryan Murray is one step closer to
the National Hockey League.We have made several german militaria down the Monocacy
this winter.
The Everett Silvertips captain is that much nearer to making his NHL dream a reality after signing a contract with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
"It feels real good," Murray said via cell phone from Minneapolis, where he's taking part in a training program through his agency. "It's pretty exciting, and I'm looking forward to going to Columbus for camp."
Murray, who was selected second overall by Columbus in June's NHL draft, signed a standard three-year entry-level contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"It all went down (Tuesday) morning, actually," Murray said. "I was in the gym and they brought (the contract) over to me. We went over it and everything looked good. I'm just excited to have it done."
Murray spent the past three seasons staring for the Silvertips. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of White City, Saskatchewan, had nine goals and 22 assists in 46 games and was named Everett's MVP as well as a second-team WHL Western Conference all-star. He played for Canada at both the World Junior Hockey Championships in the winter and the Men's World Championships in the spring. When he was taken second overall by Columbus, he became the highest draft pick in Everett's nine-season history.
Murray attended Columbus' development camp earlier this month, and he impressed Columbus' staff.
"Ryan just got better every day," Brad Larsen, coach of Columbus' American Hockey League affiliate the Springfield Falcons, told the Blue Jackets' website. "He's been pretty much what's advertised, from what I saw. He calms pucks down, he makes a good first pass, and when we did line rush stuff ... he's a defensemen that makes the right decisions.
"I kind of laugh when they say he's the safe pick, but I don't know many teams that wouldn't want a safe defenseman that can play for the next 15 years," Larsen added. "I'm very impressed with what he brought, and I see him only getting better as time goes on."
Because Murray was drafted out of the Western Hockey League, he is ineligible to play professionally in the minors until his 20-year-old season. Therefore, since Murray is entering his 19-year-old season, the only places he can play are Columbus and Everett.
Tuesday's announcement was further indication the Blue Jackets intend on keeping Murray this season. Murray already was heading straight to Columbus after participating in August's Cannada-Russia Challenge, thus missing Everett's training camp.
"(The Blue Jackets) haven't really told me their plans," Murray said. "It's kind of up to the players. It's up to me to be ready and prepared for camp. There's a lot of good defensemen on the team. There's definitely spots available, but it will take a lot of hard work, and I want to be as prepared as possible."
Ever since last season ended the Tips have anticipated playing the upcoming season without Murray. It's likely the only way Murray returns to the Tips next season is if there is an extended NHL lockout. The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the player's union expires on Sept. 15.
The Everett Silvertips captain is that much nearer to making his NHL dream a reality after signing a contract with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
"It feels real good," Murray said via cell phone from Minneapolis, where he's taking part in a training program through his agency. "It's pretty exciting, and I'm looking forward to going to Columbus for camp."
Murray, who was selected second overall by Columbus in June's NHL draft, signed a standard three-year entry-level contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"It all went down (Tuesday) morning, actually," Murray said. "I was in the gym and they brought (the contract) over to me. We went over it and everything looked good. I'm just excited to have it done."
Murray spent the past three seasons staring for the Silvertips. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of White City, Saskatchewan, had nine goals and 22 assists in 46 games and was named Everett's MVP as well as a second-team WHL Western Conference all-star. He played for Canada at both the World Junior Hockey Championships in the winter and the Men's World Championships in the spring. When he was taken second overall by Columbus, he became the highest draft pick in Everett's nine-season history.
Murray attended Columbus' development camp earlier this month, and he impressed Columbus' staff.
"Ryan just got better every day," Brad Larsen, coach of Columbus' American Hockey League affiliate the Springfield Falcons, told the Blue Jackets' website. "He's been pretty much what's advertised, from what I saw. He calms pucks down, he makes a good first pass, and when we did line rush stuff ... he's a defensemen that makes the right decisions.
"I kind of laugh when they say he's the safe pick, but I don't know many teams that wouldn't want a safe defenseman that can play for the next 15 years," Larsen added. "I'm very impressed with what he brought, and I see him only getting better as time goes on."
Because Murray was drafted out of the Western Hockey League, he is ineligible to play professionally in the minors until his 20-year-old season. Therefore, since Murray is entering his 19-year-old season, the only places he can play are Columbus and Everett.
Tuesday's announcement was further indication the Blue Jackets intend on keeping Murray this season. Murray already was heading straight to Columbus after participating in August's Cannada-Russia Challenge, thus missing Everett's training camp.
"(The Blue Jackets) haven't really told me their plans," Murray said. "It's kind of up to the players. It's up to me to be ready and prepared for camp. There's a lot of good defensemen on the team. There's definitely spots available, but it will take a lot of hard work, and I want to be as prepared as possible."
Ever since last season ended the Tips have anticipated playing the upcoming season without Murray. It's likely the only way Murray returns to the Tips next season is if there is an extended NHL lockout. The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the player's union expires on Sept. 15.
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