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St Paul, MN The Carolina Hurricanes drafted star defenseman Ryan Murphy of the Kitchener Rangers with their first overall pick in this year's draft. The Canes were a bit surprised that the highly rated blueliner fell out of the top 10, but felt like they had to pick the best player left on their list. Murphy is an offensive dynamo and scored 79 points, (26G 53A) in 63 games for the Rangers this past season.
The former teammate of Jeff Skinner was pleased to be going to Carolina.
"I know that Jeff Skinner really loves it there, so hopefully I will too", said the latest Hurricane.
The question about the defenseman is that he might be a bit small, but the 5'11 blueliner is fast as lightning and quick on his skates. Skinner had this to say about his former teammate two days ago.
"With Murphy, the tools he has are unique to anyone that I remember playing against in the OHL. He's so quick on his skates, quick and shifty. There's a knock on him that he's too small, but then he always seems to beat the guy out of the corner, or somehow comes out with the puck, he's a talented, talented guy."
From the CSS scouting report, his coach in Kitchener, Steve Spott, had the following to say:
"He’s got to make people think, because I’ll tell you what — he’s different," Rangers’ head coach and general manager Steve Spott said. "He’s like no one else in this league. You can’t get to him, you can’t hit him. He’s a kid that’s slippery, his vision is second to none, his hockey sense is second to none."
"He can skate and he’s got a rocket. He’s got all the intangibles to be an all-star not only in this league, but the National Hockey League."
Murphy was also named top defenseman in the U-18 World Championships in Germany and scored 13 points, (4g 9A) in just seven games.
Cory has some audio of what Jim Rutherford and Murphy had to say at this link.
Here is some video of his press conference: