September 1, 2010

Murley Joins Swedish Elite League

The Linköpings Hockey Club (Sweden) announced Wednesday the signing of former Rensselaer standout Matt Murley.

“We have had major injury problems and this solution is good for both us and Matt, "said sporting director Johan Hemlin. “We can see it as a tryout period the next few weeks where he gets the opportunity to prove himself, and we get a good addition in view of the injury problem we have had.”

Murley spent the 2009-10 season in Switzerland, splitting time with three teams (Langenthal, Lugano and Rapperswil). He competed in 36 games, netting 15 goals and setting up 22 tallies.

“I have heard very good things about the Swedish Elite League and it's an exciting team, the LHC,” stated Murley.

A native of Troy, New York, Murley represented Amur Khabarovsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in 2008-09. He amassed four goals and six assists in 33 KHL contests.

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (51st overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Murley totaled two goals and seven assists (9 points) and 38 penalty minutes in 62 career National Hockey League (NHL) games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes. In 353 American Hockey League (AHL) games, he scored 92 goals and earned 160 assists (252 points) while tallying 230 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning professional, Murley spent four seasons with RPI, totaling 175 points (74 goals, 101 assists) in 137 games to graduate as the 11th leading scorer in RPI history. He served as RPI.’s team captain during his senior season and was selected as the team’s MVP after leading ECAC Hockey in goals (24) and ranking second in assists (22) for the season.