BLOG: Murray comes closer to home to deepen Oilers blueline depth

EDMONTON, AB - Of the four NHL teams that defenceman Ryan Murray will have suited up for over his career after he pulls on a Blue & Orange sweater this coming October, Oil Country will be the closest he's ever been to playing at home.
"I haven't really played close to home in my entire career, so it'll be pretty cool to be a part of this organization," the White City, SK product said.
The 28-year-old played out four seasons in the WHL on the west coast with the Everett Silvertips, serving two years as captain, and won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2012 World Juniors that were hosted at Rexall Place in Edmonton and the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.
He was even one pick away from being drafted by the Oilers at the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh, going second overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets after Edmonton took Nail Yakupov with the first-overall selection.
"To get an opportunity to come to Edmonton is pretty special," he added. "It's cool for me and kind of funny how that all works out 10 years later. I'm definitely just excited to get rolling here."
Murray spent seven years in Columbus before being traded to the New Jersey Devils in October 2020 and signing for the subsequent season with the Colorado Avalanche, whom he celebrated a championship with as 2022 Stanley Cup Champions.
The native of Alberta's neighbouring province spent his day with the Stanley Cup this summer celebrating in his hometown just east of Regina, and ooking ahead to this upcoming campaign, the 28-year-old is excited to play closer to family and friends after penning a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.

"I'm super happy that Edmonton offered up a deal," Murray said on 630CHED's Inside Sports with Reid Wilkins on Friday night. "It's a place that I think is going to be really great for my family and friends to be able to come down and watch."
"I think it'll be a change to the other markets I've been in and I think it'll be a good change. I'm looking forward to it."
The two-way, left-shot defenceman is a veteran of 432 games, a total that's been reduced due to injury, amassing 15 goals and 113 assists while adjusting his role based on the responsibilities he's been given.
"I've kind of been a bit of a different player on different teams with different roles and whatnot," he said.
Murray operated as a top-four defenceman for much of his tenure on the Columbus blueline from 2013-20 and filled more of a shut-down, third-pairing role in 37 games last season for the Avalanche in their Stanley Cup-winning campaign before suffering a fractured hard in March.
As a 6-foot-1, 206-pound blueliner who's responsible in his own zone and possesses solid speed and and puck distribution, Murray's signing in Edmonton represents a strong addition to the Oilers depth on the back end that can take care of his own end and get the puck onto the right sticks.
"I think I skate pretty well," he said. "I think I move the puck pretty well and just try to make good plays and good passes. I'm a pass-first kind of guy, but just try to take care of my own end and jump into the rush to try and do what I can offensively to pitch in when I get the opportunity.
"There are a lot of great players up front there for the Oilers, so hopefully I can get the puck into their hands more than a few times."