Blue Jackets sign Murray to two-year contract

Defenseman Ryan Murray signed a two-year, $5.65 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, the Blue Jackets announced.
Murray, 22, has four goals and 17 points averaging 22:27 of ice time this season. He is one of three Blue Jackets (Boone Jenner, Gregory Campbell) to have played in all of Columbus' 55 games.

"Ryan Murray is a talented, smart player who has been a very steady performer on our blue line and we are extremely happy to have this deal completed," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. "Ryan has earned more ice time, showed steady improvement, and contributed in all situations for us throughout the season. We look forward to his continued growth and development with our club."
The Blue Jackets selected Murray with the second pick of the 2012 NHL Draft. He has nine goals and 41 points in 133 NHL games.
He could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.