Murphy feels good about Hurricanes Traverse City squad

Peter Koutroumpis - Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis – Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C.The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Thursday the roster of players that will participate in the 2013 NHL Prospects Tournament that will take place from Sept. 5-9, at Centre I.C.E. Arena in Traverse City, Mich.

The Hurricanes’ fourth appearance at the annual tournament hosted by the Detroit Red Wings is one in which they hold a 7-5 record and includes a first-place finish which the team’s prospects in 2009 ended up earning while making their tournament debut.

The event which began in 1998, has 400 alumni who have or are currently playing in the NHL accumulating a total of nearly 60,000 NHL games played.

Jeff Daniels, head coach and general manager of Carolina’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, will coach the Hurricanes’ team along with Charlotte assistant coach Geordie Kinnear.

All eight competing team rosters will be comprised of drafted players and signees, as well as amateur tryout invitees, along with a limited number of players with prior professional experience that is no longer than one full season in duration.

The Hurricanes’ squad for the 2013 tournament will be competing in the Ted Lindsay division playing against prospect squads from the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Buffalo Sabres.

The team is comprised of 14 players drafted by Carolina, including first-round draft picks Elias Lindholm (2013, 5th overall) and Ryan Murphy (2011, 12th overall).

Since arriving in Raleigh this week, Murphy has been skating every day along with the growing number of Hurricanes players returning to the area to take part in informal on-ice sessions at Raleigh Center Ice.

During Friday’s skate, Murphy showed the high intensity and speed of play he is ready to put forward in trying to make the team and start the season in the NHL.

It’s a pace that he’ll surely also lead the Hurricanes’ prospect team with in Traverse City.

“I feel good right now, working on the cardio, and getting ready for camp,” Murphy said.

“It’s good to get up to game speed. It’s definitely good to be out here before camp.”

Along with Murphy and Lindholm, the tournament will mark the first game action in a Hurricanes uniform for second-round pick (2012, 47th overall) Brock McGinn, third-round pick (2010, 67th overall) and 2013 Harvard graduate Danny Biega, and recent free agent signee Sergey Tolchinsky.

He feels that the group that’s heading to Michigan will do very well.

“We have a lot of young, skilled guys coming up,” Murphy continued.

“I’m sure we’ll have no problem coming together as a group. It’s a high-tempo tournament and we’re gonna’ take it seriously.”