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Sarnia,
ON - The Sarnia Sting blue line got another boost of
help after Sting Head Coach and General Manager
Jacques Beaulieu announced the signing of Connor
Murphy to an OHL contract.
Murphy
was the Phoenix Coyotes first round draft pick (20th
overall) this year, and was the Sting's 15th round
pick back in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection draft.
Murphy played last season with the US-18 team in the
USHL where he was limited to 14 games. But his
biggest accomplishment last season came in the IIHF
World Under-18 Championships, where Murphy would
score the overtime winner in the Gold medal game
against Sweden.
With
Murphy being a first round selection, Beaulieu
acknowledges that making the choice to come to
Sarnia and the OHL will help fast track his career.
"Whenever
you can put a first round pick in any position in
your line up I think it's a direct impact on your
hockey club," said Beaulieu. "He's the type of
player we need. He's got a little offensive punch to
him, and I think with the defencemen we have coming
back, we need that offensive guy the can create some
offence on our powerplay and also out 5-on-5 play."
With the
commitment on Anthony DeAngelo early this month, the
Sting defence has become a little more competitive
in the OHL. But Beaulieu notes the Conference is
very tough, and when one team adds a player of high
caliber, many others seem to be following suit. The
Sting may not be counted as championship contenders
just yet, as Beaulieu believes 2 or 3 more moves may
need to happen for this team to get there.
Murphy's
name is added to the list of players Beaulieu has
brought into the organization over the summer, as
the new coach and GM continues to turn every stone
and change the make up of the team.
"I wanted
to make some changes and I wanted to bring some
impact players right away into our line up," said
Beaulieu. "I think this city is starving for a good
product and a winning product."
Defence
continues to be a concern for the Sting, as even
with the signings of Murphy and DeAngelo, it isn't a
solution to all the problems. With 6 top 6 forwards,
a checking line and a development line, and solid
goaltending, adding more on the blue line will be
something Beaulieu will continue to look into.
Murphy
described himself as a smart two-way defencemen who
can play in all situations from powerplay, penalty
kill, and last minute. He has the ability to jump up
into the play, but says his foot speed could use a
little work with his first three steps.
As the
20th selection in the NHL draft, Murphy says he was
supported in his decision to come play in Sarnia by
the Phoenix Coyotes, and he views Sarnia as a good
place to make the move forward into a professional
career.
"I hoping
to come in and compete my hardest," said Murphy.
"I'm not going to change my game, just come in and
play the same way I have been and keep improving."
"Connor
will step in right away and be a big part of our
hockey club," said Beaulieu. "He certainly proved
himself at the World Under-18 Championships to be a
big game player and we can't wait to see him in a
Sting jersey next season."
The Sting
open their season on September 23rd at home to Erie.
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