Five Pre-Season Questions with Jacob Murray

Jacob Murray was the 13th overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection and joins a Kingston blue line where he’ll see plenty of opportunity in his rookie season.

Murray was a leader on an Oakville Rangers Minor Midget club that went undefeated throughout the regular season before settling for bronze at the OMHA Championships. The 6-foot-3, 188Ib. defender is eager to grow through development opportunities under new Fronts head coach Kurtis Foster.

Murray took time to answer some questions and share his outlook on the season ahead.

As a defenceman, is there an OHL player or an NHL player you’ve been trying to model your game after?

“If it was a guy in the OHL it’d have to be Evan Bouchard. I skated with him a bunch in the summer, he’s really good with the puck and he’s got a cannon of a shot. Then in the NHL guys like Drew Doughty and Victor Hedman are both guys who are really good on both sides of the puck and make good plays up-ice all the time. They’re definitely the two guys I like to watch and model my game after.”

What was it like to experience your first Training Camp with the Kingston Frontenacs?

“A little bit of nerve in there, but for the most part it was pure excitement. Making that jump was everything I’d ever dreamed of. It was kind of a long summer looking forward to it but as it got closer and closer then the day that it started was surreal, it was finally happening for me and I couldn’t have been happier.”

How did it feel to put on the Frontenacs jersey in your first preseason game?

“All I could say was wow. Different colours than I’m used to, I’m used to blue, red and white. Just looking around the room when I came in here and seeing all the different jerseys and seeing my own. It’s happening, it’s a dream come true now. It was a very happy moment, probably one of the proudest moments of my life and it’s one that I’ll definitely never forget.”

After attending Hockey Canada’s Under-17 Camp this summer,  how much would it mean to represent your country?

“It would mean the world to me. There’s no greater honour than representing your country whether it be the Olympics or World Juniors, anything like that. Being able to put on the black, red and white would be one of the greatest honours to ever partake in and if I’m lucky enough to get the call to do that I’ll be a very happy kid.”

What are some personal goals you have for your rookie season?

“I just want to jump in right away, score a little bit, contribute offensively and defensively. My main goal is to play solid defence because I feel like there’s a lot of skilled guys in the league and if I can play solid defence then the offensive side of the game will come. If I’m able to matchup against first line guys it’ll help me in the future and it’ll help the team in the future as well.”

This month ontariohockeyleague.com will feature one team each day in advance of the 2018-19 season which begins Wednesday September 19th.  See more from the OHL 20 in 20 series.