Carolina Hurricanes recall Mike Murphy

Charlotte Checkers goaltender Mike Murphy received a well-deserved first NHL call-up this morning as the Carolina Hurricanes have recalled him to replace netminder Brian Boucher in tonight's lineup against the Calgary Flames.

Boucher is reported to have suffered a lower-body injury in practice yesterday in Calgary.

Murphy was instrumental in the Charlotte Checkers success during their 2010-11 inaugural season, and has to continued to be strong in 15 games this season, posting a 9-5-0 record with a .922 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average.

The official press release from the Hurricanes follows.

Press Release: Hurricanes Recall Goaltender Mike Murphy

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has recalled goaltender Mike Murphy from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Murphy’s recall is on an emergency basis, after Hurricanes netminder Brian Boucher suffered a lower-body injury during practice on Monday in Calgary.

This marks the first NHL recall for Murphy, 22. The Kingston, Ont., native is 9-5-0 with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 15 games for the Checkers this season. The Hurricanes’ sixth-round selection (165th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Murphy has a career record of 40-25-3 with a 2.59 goals-against average in 74 career AHL games with Albany and Charlotte.

Prior to turning professional, Murphy (5’11", 172 lbs.) completed four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Belleville, establishing Bulls regular-season franchise records for career wins (85), shutouts (8), goals-against average (2.42) and save percentage (.929). He was a two-time OHL All-Star, and was named Goaltender of the Year for the entire Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in 2008-09, after posting career-bests in wins (40), goals-against average (2.08), shutouts (5) and save percentage (.941), all of which were franchise records.