Daniel Murphy Ready to Backstop a Resurgent IceDogs’ Team
For the first time in his Ontario Hockey League career, goaltender Daniel Murphy (OA) found himself on the move, joining the Niagara IceDogs, by trade on August 14th, after three seasons with the Erie Otters.
Murphy is ultimately pleased to be joining the IceDogs’ organization, “I knew the situation in Erie wasn’t going to work out for me, so it’s really exciting going to an organization with a great rink, a great place to be, and on a team that’s going to be on the up-and-coming in a couple of years,” he said. “It was just really exciting to hear someone value you and then trade for you.”
A veteran of 114 career-games played, Murphy, has the experience and demeanour to tend the net for a young team like Niagara, citing he can lean on his past experiences with a rebuilding Otters’ club to help lead in the Garden City.
“The experience that I do have from when I was in Erie – we were also a younger team the past few years and I learned from how we progressed – just experiencing that and trying to help the guys learn new systems staying even keeled, being accountable and be a leader for the younger guys, as one of the older guys,” commented Murphy.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound right catching netminder also noted that he has the right attitude to play in Niagara, “I like to consider myself a calm goalie, I don’t get too high or low, I try not to show any emotion and let things rattle me. I just try to keep my angles, stay calm and not overplay pucks, just do my part to keep things simple as best I can,” he said.
Although the start of the season will be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guelph resident is also particularly thankful for the opportunity to finish his career in Canada.
“Especially with everything going on [with COVID], being closer to home my parents will be able to see a few more games, and some of my friends are at Brock University and Niagara College so they’ll be able to come out and watch the games.”
Murphy says OHL fans will see a much stronger IceDogs’ team in 2020-2021.
“We definitely have a team this year to be excited about coming back from a tough season last year. I think we’ll really surprise some people this year.”
