Ryan Murray pushes himself to the limit at Combine

Defenseman Ryan Murray is captain of the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot, 182-pound native of Saskatchewan won a bronze medal playing for Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship and was also the second-youngest player to ever appear for Canada at the Men's World Championships. Despite his busy schedule, Murray submitted one final blog on Friday upon his completion of the 2012 NHL Scouting Combine.

Hi everyone. The NHL Combine has come and gone.

I got a good sleep [Thursday] night and wasn't too nervous. I think I had a little too much to eat [Friday] morning though. I had a big breakfast and that didn't hold up too well -- after the Wingate test I felt good for a couple minutes. I felt that wasn't so hard, and then went into the back room and started getting nauseous and, as soon as I sat down, felt really dizzy and just wasn't feeling well. So I figured I'd just force it out since I was going to do the VO2 Max next.

I kind of knew what to expect a little bit. I knew it would be tough and it was.

At the start of the testing, there are scouts everywhere just sort of staring at you as you're going through the testing and it's a bit intimidating, but I just tried to block them out and focus on the test. I thought the Wingate wasn't that hard because it was only 30 seconds; I just closed my eyes and just went as hard as I could. I thought the VO2 was harder.

During the VO2, at around the eight-minute mark, you're trying to keep up with the RPM's and going absolutely full out and you're breathing through the tube and it's a little different because they're plugging your nose. You're trying to get air and going so long, you completely max your body out.

Overall, I had fun and despite being a little nervous for the first couple of interviews, I was fine after the first two or three. It was most of the same stuff and I just felt more comfortable. I got to meet some new guys here at the testing and it was very tough, but very satisfying afterwards when you can kind of take a seat. I can honestly say I really pushed my body to the limit.

Thanks for reading my blog during the NHL Combine. Next up ... the NHL Draft.

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