The Carolina Hurricanes, parent club of the AHL’s Albany River Rats, today announced that the team has signed left wing Matt Murley to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2008-09 season.
Murley split the 2007-08 season between Phoenix and the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio. He had one assist in three games on the NHL level, and led all Rampage skaters in assists (41) and points (62) in 76 AHL games.
“Matt has had a lot of success in the American Hockey League and comes with NHL experience,” said Carolina assistant general manager and director of player development Ron Francis. “He is a strong depth forward who is capable of contributing on the NHL level, or providing leadership and production in the AHL.”
Murley, 28, split the 2007-08 season between Phoenix and the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio. He had one assist in three games on the NHL level, and led all Rampage skaters in goals (28), assists (41) and points (62) in 76 AHL games. The Troy, NY, native also had four points (2g, 2a) in seven Calder Cup playoff games with San Antonio.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (51st overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Murley has totaled two goals and seven assists (9 points) and 38 penalty minutes in 62 career NHL games with the Penguins and Coyotes.
In 353 AHL games, he has scored 92 goals and earned 160 assists (252 points) while tallying 230 penalty minutes. Murley has added 28 points (13g, 15a) in 53 career Calder Cup Playoff contests, including a trip to the Calder Cup Finals with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2004.
Murley spent the 2006-07 season with Albany and ranked second on the club with 55 points (23g, 32a) in 61 regular-season games before tallying a team-high six points (1g, 5a) in five Calder Cup Playoff matches.
Prior to turning professional, Murley spent four seasons with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (R.P.I.) of the ECACHL, totaling 175 points (74g, 101a) in 137 games to graduate as the 11th leading scorer in RPI history.
He served as R.P.I.’s team captain during his senior season and was selected as the team’s MVP after leading the ECACHL in goals (24) and ranking second in assists (22) for the season.
