Murray makes move to champions Panthers
Nottingham Panthers have added defenceman Chris Murray to the roster for the 2013/14 season. The defenceman has vast experience in the AHL and East Coast, having spent most of his career at that level.
It now means that coach Corey Neilson has added size, height and experience with the 6′ 2″ American, together with a strong presence of strength and agility to the blue line.
Neilson has shown his intent for the coming season in preparation for the defence of last season’s EIHL Grand Slam.
28-year-old Murray started his early career at University of New Hampshire in 2003, where he spent four years playing and picking up a steady amount of points each season and amassing over 190 penalty minutes.
After leaving university, he has split his time between the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.
The 2007/08 season saw him start the season with the Phoenix Roadrunners in the ECHL, where he played 45 games for a points total of 14.
The later part of the season saw him move to the AHL playing a single game for both Lake Erie Monsters and Springfield Falcons before he finished the season for the Albany River Rats in the AHL, picking four points and 15 penalty minutes in 13 games.
2008/09 once again saw Murray splitting his season, this time he started the season in the AHL with Hartford Wolf Pack, where he spent 13 games, before moving to the ECHL. He played 53 games for the Charlotte Checkers, which saw him pick up his highest penalty tally to date with 124 minutes.
The 2009/10 season saw him as a Devil playing for Trenton in the ECHL and then Lowell and Albany Devils in the AHL. His 2011/12 season was split between the Florida Everblades and another stint with the Charlotte Checkers. At the end of the 2011/12 season Murray picked up an injury and spent last season sitting on the sidelines and getting match fit.
He has marked the return of his playing career by signing for the Nottingham Panthers, this will see him playing in the UK for the first time in his career.
Murray looks to be more of a stay-at-home defenceman based on his points tallies, but doesn’t seem afraid to stick up for his team mates and spend time in the sin bin.
This is Panthers’ third signing in eight days, which is already looking to be an exciting line up for the new season.
