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Player Profile – Chase McMurphy One last stop at home on the long road to pro hockey Chase McMurphy has played for at least 12 different clubs growing up both in and around the Calgary-area and on the road to pro hockey. But coming to the Calgary Canucks will be his last Calgary stop in a while as he works towards the professional ranks. The past two years in particular have seen a lot of movement. He ended 2012-2013 with the Calgary Mustangs before heading to the USHL. After a few months, he was traded to Vernon Vipers who were hosting last year’s RBC Cup. A confusing set of operations (including being traded for now-Canuck Josh Betinol) saw him end up with the Surrey Eagles. This year, he started there as Captain before recently being traded to the Canucks for two veteran defensemen, Owen Johnson and Jordan Wiest. “It’s nice to be back at home,” says the well-travelled 20 year old. “I’m playing with some of the guys I grew up playing with and against.” In Surrey, the team had a bad record and McMurphy worked to rally the players. “It was tough keeping everyone focused,” he admitted shortly after arriving in Calgary. “We were losing by big margins. It was a good group of guys.” Now, back in Calgary, McMurphy was almost immediately given an “A”. The team sought his leadership and scoring ability when they traded across borders to get him. “It’s a great honour to be named assistant captain right off the bat. I love being a leader.” The Canucks only have a few more months to learn from the new leader before he heads off to the University of Alaska- Fairbanks on a scholarship. He committed when he was 17 and will study business when he heads there this fall. For players looking to commit to a school, he has a recommendation: “You have to play like someone’s watching. You could catch their eye.” He certainly did. Even though he has committed, his pace hasn’t diminished. With 10 points, including seven goals in his 10 games with the Canucks, he has done what he came home to do. Then it’ll be back on the road to pro hockey. |