Is Ryan Murray about to get his chance with the big boys?
According to reports, the Everett Silvertips captain will receive an invitation by Hockey Canada to play at the upcoming Men’s World Championships in Sweden and Finland.
Dean Millard of the Pipeline Show radio program in Edmonton, Alberta, reported on Twitter that, “We have confirmed that Ryan Murray has been approached by Hockey Canada to play in the World Championships.”
Silvertips director of media relations Travis Huntington did not have any knowledge of whether Murray received an invitation.
The World Championships, which take place May 4-20, is a tournament for professionals. Canada’s team is usually comprised of NHLers whose teams either didn’t make the playoffs or have been eliminated from the playoffs. Murray, an 18-year-old defenseman from White City, Saskatchewan, is eligible for this year’s NHL draft. An undrafted junior player making the roster for Canada at the World Championships is nearly unprecedented.
Murray just completed his third season with Everett, notching nine goals and 22 assists in 46 games and being named the team’s Most Valuable Player. He has represented Canada in every other age category, including at this year’s World Junior Hockey Championships, which is an under-20 tournament.
Murray has been ranked as high as second for this year’s NHL draft, which takes place in June. Hockey Canada general manager Kevin Lowe is also the president of the Edmonton Oilers, who hold the first-overall pick in the NHL draft.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
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