Penguins/NHL
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that they have signed forward Chris Barton and goaltender Scott Darling to professional tryout agreements (PTO). In addition, defenseman Harrison Ruopp and goaltender Matt Murray have agreed to amateur tryout agreements (ATO) with the team. Ruopp this week signed a three entry level deal but the contract does not begin until 2013-2014.
Goaltender Matthew Murray is the Penguins top goaltending prospect in the system. Murray was selected 83rd overall (3rd round) in the 2012 draft.
The Penguins in last years draft made a strong focus in restocking the system with young goaltenders, selecting Murray in the third round and Sean MaGuire in the fourth round. MaGuire had a solid freshman season at Boston University going 13-8-0 with a 2.54 GAA, .926 save percentage and 4 shutouts.
For the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, Murray went 26-19-4 over 53 games with a 3.67 GAA, .894 save percentage and 1 shutout in 2012-2013. In the playoffs the 18 year old went 2-3-1 with a 2.67 GAA.
Since 2010-11, Murray has gone 47-49-8 for the Greyhounds, registering a 3.82 goals against average, and a .887 save percentage.
Murray is a big goaltender at 6-foot-5, 163-pounds and the Penguins like the size and athleticism he has. This was the first season he was a No. 1 goaltender in the OHL so he is still learning at being the go to guy in high level situations.
He joins WBS on the ATO just for the purpose of getting some experience which the Penguins look to do with their prospects.
