Phoenix Coyotes sign top pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft Connor Murphy to entry-level contract
Phoenix Coyotes might have done it a bit late, but they finally did sign on their top pick in the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, Connor Murphy, to an entry-level contract, of which the financial terms and conditions including length were
not disclosed, announced the franchise on Thursday, August 4.
Even though the length of the contract was not announced, since most are three-year deals, Murphy’s deal is also speculated to be of similar if not of the same tenure.
Phoenix Coyotes' general manager, Don Maloney, made the announcement in a statement released by the team through a press release.
"We are happy to sign Connor to an entry-level contract", said Coyotes' general manager, Don Maloney, in a statement about signing the top entry draft pick. "He is a terrific talent and we look forward to seeing him in a Coyotes uniform in the future".
Connor Murphy, an 18-year-old defenseman from Boston, Massachusetts, United States, was picked as the 20th overall during round-one of the draft in June and is also the son of former NHL player, Gord Murphy, who is currently an assistant coach
with Florida Panthers.
Murphy was also available during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but due to a back injury was left unnoticed. He really made an impression last season while playing in the Under-18 World Championships as he appeared in 14 games and potted a number of goals including
a game-winner in overtime for the gold-medal against Sweden.
Murphy was also named the Player of the Game for his performance in that matchup.
At the time of his selection, Connor Murphy was very excited, and still carries that excitement with him today.
“It’s amazing”, said Murphy, a 6-foot-3 defenseman, after he was selected by the Phoenix franchise during last month’s draft. “It’s been a major goal of mine for years to be drafted in the NHL. I visited Phoenix and couldn’t be any more happier than to be
a part of this organization now”.
Wearing the same number (5) as his father did, Connor Murphy hopes to establish his name in the league the same way his father did, if not better.
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