Everett Silvertips defenseman Ryan Murray tops prospects of 2012 NHL draft to be held in June – NHL News
After having missed on his chance a year earlier on the age cutoff by just 12 days, Everett Silvertips defenseman, Ryan Murray, is ready and all set to play professional hockey from the National Hockey League (NHL) and the player at the 2012 CHL/NHL Top
Prospects Game in Kelowna, held recently, has impressed his potential suitors.
Murray was projected to be top pick in the 2011 draft, and only missed the opportunity on his age, which was 12 days below the required limit. He is back into the limelight again, and most likely to be fetched among top three prizes in this year (2012) draft.
The NHL draft, which is held in Pittsburgh on June 22 and 23 every year, is a source of recruitment of new players into the professional hockey league, and Murray is among the highlights of this season.
A number of prominent hockey figures who have seen Ryan playing before them have spoken high of his potential and skills. They are of the view that the player still holds the prospects to be picked as top draft prize in the 2012 draft.
"I think Murray brings something to the game ... he brings a steadiness to the game to the point that you know he'll play 15 years in the League without any problem," NHL Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan said.
Murray also made an impression on the three-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Recchi, who saw him playing at the 2012 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna.
He said:
"Murray reminds me a little bit (of) Ray Bourque. He has that Ray Bourque look to me, real composed and strong. He skates a lot like him, too. When I first saw him, I was trying to pinpoint who he reminded me of and then it hit me -- Bourque."
With all these endorsements, Murray has a definite chance of joining any team around the NHL as the top draft prize.
Irrespective to the age factor he had been rated atop of the draft prospects in 2011 season. He is equally impressive in his game skills this year and currently holds plus-49 rating in his team, Silvertips.
Officially, the NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of players, who have become eligible for 2012 draft, has rated him at the number 3 position among all North American skaters.
The player himself has spoken of his readiness to join any of the teams around the NHL and apparently willing to accept the challenge and pressure of high level hockey in the professional league. He in one his recent comments said that he is always confident
of playing at his natural defence position.
"I've played defense all my life ... it's not really that hard," he said.
Murray’s hockey career is full of achievements. He has earned bronze medal while playing as the youngest player for his country in the World Junior Championship this year.
He now holds great prospects of playing league hockey, as Sullivan rightly said, for upto 15 years without any problem.
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