Saturday, November 5, 2011

Hurricanes future on defense gets hit hard


Ryan Murphy
Ryan Murphy, the Carolina Hurricanes' top pick (12th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft was hit hard during an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) game between his junior club, the Kitchener Rangers, and the Niagara IceDogs on Friday night in Kitchener, Ontario.

According to a report from the Waterloo Record, Murphy was hit by IceDogs player Tom Kuhnhackl on a play behind the Kitchener net.

Kuhnhackl appeared to have left his feet before he contacted Murphy into the boards leaving the Carolina prospect on the ice lying motionless for a time before getting up and leaving the ice surface on his own.

Murphy is not playing in the Rangers lineup in Saturday's return game against the IceDogs and is listed with an upper-body injury.

The OHL suspended Kuhnhackl for Saturday's game and further suspension is under consideration by the league.

There has been no subsequent report on Murphy's condition since Friday night's game which has many in Kitchener and Raleigh, N.C. concerned on the future of the talented young defenseman.



It's not the first time that Murphy has been sidelined with a similar injury as he sat out a few games back in March 2011 after taking an elbow to the face in a game against the Kingston Frontenacs.


Carolina lacks jump in 5-1 loss to Washington

The Carolina Hurricanes came out flat against the Washington Capitals in a 5-1 loss at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. on Friday night.After the game, the scene in the team’s dressing room was littered...