Photo courtesy Everett Silvertips
Defenseman Ryan Murray became the highest draft pick in Everett Silvertips history when he was selected second overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft Friday afternoon at Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center.
Murray, 18, is the 14th NHL draft pick in Silvertips history and fifth first-round selection produced by Everett. He becomes the first Silvertip to be chosen earlier than eighth overall, where Peter Mueller (Phoenix in 2006) and Zach Hamill (Boston in 2007) had previously been picked. He also matches the highest pick ever to come out of a WHL U.S. Division program.
The product of White City, Saskatchewan was ranked second among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting after three stellar seasons in Everett. Murray has totaled 104 points (20g/84a) in 168 career games with the Silvertips and holds the franchise record for career plus/minus rating (+51). He was named the youngest Captain in team history at 17 during the 2010-11 season, a role he continued to occupy throughout his 18-year-old campaign in 2011-12.
Murray has collected frequent accolades throughout his young career, twice winning Silvertips MVP honors, being named this year’s Western Conference Most Sportsmanlike Player and appearing on the WHL’s Western Conference All-Star Second Team in each of the past two seasons. He has also represented Team Canada at this year’s IIHF Men’s World Championship (the second-youngest player ever to do so) and World Junior Championship, the 2010 and 2011 Under-18 World Championships and the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament; serving as captain of the latter three teams.
Fellow Silvertips defenseman Nick Walters is expected to be the next Silvertip to hear his name called when the draft picks up with rounds two through seven tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Walters is expected to be drafted somewhere in the middle rounds after being listed 67th in the final rankings from NHL Central Scouting. Watch live draft coverage of day two starting at 7:00 am PST Saturday morning on the NHL Network or log on to www.everettsilvertips.com to see where Walters is selected.
For complete coverage of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, visit www.nhl.com/draft.
June 23, 2012
Everett, Everett Sports