Matt Murray’s Stellar Season Ends With Rookie of the Year

Matt Murray made headlines this season when he broke the American Hockey League’s shutout streak. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect was rewarded for his efforts, taking home the 2014-2015 AHL rookie of the year award.

Murray was the third round pick of the Penguins in 2012. He led the AHL in goals against average with a stellar 1.51 with the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins. He went 25-9-3 on the season.

“It’s not really a surprise that he’s been able to adjust so quickly,” coach John Hynes said to the Scranton Times Herald recently. “His everyday practice habits, the mental game, making sure he’s focused day to day, he’s been able to do that. That coupled with a lot of talent, you’re going to see some real nice results.”

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was rather unsung going into this season on a Scranton club full of prospects and rookies. Yet Murray was able to emerge as the best goaltender and rookie in the league. He was also named to the first team all star team as the goaltender.

Murray’s shutout streak of 304 minutes and 11 seconds is the longest in the history of the AHL, but his season was much more than that. He’s led the Penguins to the AHL playoffs where they will likely take on the Syracuse Crunch.

At 6’4 and 166 lbs, Murray is only 22 years old and has plenty of time to develop even more. The Pittsburgh Penguins themselves are pretty set at the goaltender position with Marc Andre Fluery, but their future is bright with one of the best netminding prospects in the game.

There is a chance that Murray gets an opportunity to play in Pittsburgh at some point next season, since he was at the Pens’ training camp this past yea.r

Murray has always projected to become an NHL goaltender, but his spectacular season has certainly raised his stock and accelerated his progress. He’s signed with the Penguins for two more years into the future.

Also in his past is an appearance with the 2012 U18 Team Canada where he netminded the team to a bronze medal. He played his junior hockey with the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds.

Though Murray had a terrific season, HockeysFuture.com says that Murray needs to improve his footspeed and work more at being a hybrid goaltender. Currently Murray is a profly style and he does use his size well. He might need to gain some speed post-to-post as well.