The NHL better make room for one more Matt Murray in the crease.
While the Ottawa Senators netminder has carved out a seven-year career, UMass’ graduate student goalie is headed to Texas. Murray signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate, the club announced Tuesday.
Murray returned to Amherst for an extra season of eligibility and led the Minutemen to a Hockey East tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. He went 21-12-2 and notched a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
The St. Albert, Alberta, native leaves UMass as the program’s all-time leader in wins (73) and shutouts (14). He’s second in goals against average (2.23) and third in save percentage (.916).
Now four Minutemen have signed professional deals this offseason: Matthew Kessel with the St. Louis Blues, Josh Lopina with the Anaheim Ducks and Bobby Trivigno with the New York Rangers. That makes 12 players that have signed deals during Greg Carvel’s tenure, eight of whom (including Murray) were undrafted when they arrived in Amherst.