via mynhldraft.com
Ryan Murray
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/200 lbs
Position: D
Team: Everett (WHL)
Ryan Murray’s Player Profile
Ryan Murray is without question the the top defenseman available for selection in the 2012 NHL Draft. This impact player from the Everett Silvertips of the WHL tallied 27 points in 52 games as a rookie in the WHL, and averaged 30-35 minutes of playing time a game. Murray was the team captain for Canada in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and led them to a gold medal. He is regularly noted for his great puckmoving ability, and is already being called the next Scott Niedermayer. Murray nearly made Canada’s World Junior team this past year, but he is almost already a lock to be one of the teams top defensemen for the 2012 tournament. In 70 games with the Silvertips in 2010-2011, Murray scored 46 points, including 40 assists. Ryan Murray is looked at as a future two-way defenseman in the NHL, and will likely be a solid defenseman for years to come. Look for him to be the first defenseman selected in the upcoming draft, and he will certainly be picked in the top five selections.
Submitted by: David O’Connor
via thescoutingreport.org
After missing nearly two months of the WHL season due to a high ankle sprain and a generally forgettable WJC tournament, Murray will finish out the season with the last-place Everett Silvertips, who will look to their captain to lead their building team towards a brighter future. Murray is a great skater with excellent lateral movement, and sees the game well as plays develop around him. He is a very capable playmaker and can effectively jump into or lead the rush up the ice. With a heavy shot from the point, it certainly appears that Ryan Murray has all of the tangibles that NHL teams love to build around on their blueline. It will be important for Murray to forget some of his struggles this year, and continue to build towards what should be a very good professional career.