Getting to Know: Ryan Murphy

By: Shannon Costello

Kitchener Rangers fans are getting used to cheering when Number 24 hits the ice. Ryan Murphy was the Rangers 1st round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection Draft, and since then has been a force on the blue line for Kitchener.

Many of his teammates took their jersey numbers simply because they were available. But Murphy chose his for a reason. “I chose it because of Bryan McCabe. He was my favourite player … until he put his puck in his own net during overtime” he laughs.

Murphy has not made a mistake like that in his career, but is definitely used to putting the puck in the opposing net. Currently Ryan is the second highest scoring defenseman in the OHL, and is second overall on the Rangers with 25 goals and 52 assists.

The sophomore player from Aurora, Ontario stood out in his rookie year as the second highest scoring defenseman on the team (after John Moore) during the regular season, and he took over the title once the playoffs began. In 20 playoff games Murphy led defensemen with 5 goals and 17 points, proving that he can play under pressure – something he is going to be counted on to do as the playoffs approach this month.

Last summer Ryan worked on getting bigger and stronger, and noted areas to his game he would like to improve. “I’ve got good offense and puck moving ability, but I want to work on defensive play in my own zone.”  Over the past season, Ryan has improved from a -3 to a +23, showing that his defensive abilities have definitely picked up in his second year.

Currently, he tries to model himself after Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith who also plays on his favourite team: the Chicago Blackhawks. Like Murphy, one of Keith’s noted strengths is that while he is on the ice a lot, he does not get many penalties. For the 2009-2010 season Murphy won the Blueline Club Trophy as the Rangers’ most gentlemanly player.  He had just 22 penalty minutes in 63 games last season, and is the least penalized regular defenseman on the team this year.

The 5’11”, 176lb defenseman began skating when he was four under his Dad’s direction. But when hockey started to become a big part of his life, Murphy’s coaches for York Simcoe took control. “I look up to Maurice Catenacci because he coached me all the way until now and he taught me so much about the game of hockey” he says. He still names Catenacci as his biggest influence in helping to get where he is today.

Rangers fans thank him too. Ryan Murphy has quickly become a fan favourite at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium as the crowd cheers on every hip check, every up ice rush and every goal he scores. Hearing the stands erupt so often in a game can definitely pump up the players, but Murphy notes that you need to stay focused. “You’ve always got to keep your emotions in check and think of it as just another game. If you’re low on energy, think about celebrating after the game to keep you going.”

While he always seems so calm on ice, Murphy admits to hiding his excitement during at least one tournament: the Under-17 World Championship. In 6 games for Team Ontario he scored one goal and three assists, but that is not what makes the tournament his favourite hockey memory: “I loved the experience. It was my first chance to represent something bigger than a town or a city.”

Though he was cut from the final roster of Canada’s World Junior team this past December, Murphy learned what he needs to change to make sure he has the chance to play next year. His impressive stats and talents on ice leave no doubt that he will represent his country sometime in the future.

Scouted as an offensive defenseman who is a natural playmaker and likes to join the rush, Ryan is highly sought after as the 2011 NHL Entry Draft approaches. When the midterm rankings were released, Ryan sat at number 10 overall, though a strong Memorial Cup run could up his stock even more.

These next few months will have a huge impact on Murphy’s future, but he knows this does not mean he should to do anything different. He just needs to keep doing what he does best: play hockey.