Murphy officially to ASU; Gerlach to Major Juniors

by Redwing77

Forward Wade Murphy has transferred officially to Arizona State University per Brad Schlossman.  In my opinion, it's not surprising but rather disappointing.  I had heard great things about Murphy coming into his time at UND and he just couldn't put things together.

He has to sit out a year (in 115 degree heat) before being able to lace the skates up, but all the best for him.  He'll be in a great position to be the leader on a young-ish team.

In other news:  Max Gerlach bolted for the WHL.  The Texas-born winger played in Colorado last year.  He's off to the Medicine Hat Tigers organization.  He was listed as a 2017 recruit.

It's yet another example of why I believe players will go to the NCAA (if drafted by Major Junior teams) only if they actually suit up.  Next to go Major Juniors?  Jost and/or Fabbro.

I guess that means I'll care about him if/when he gets to the NHL.  Best of luck.

Ryan Gropp commits to North Dakota

Committed to the University of North Dakota! Very excited for the opportunity #sioux
— Ryan Gropp (@Gropper8) July 5, 2013

Penticton Vees forward Ryan Gropp has committed to play hockey at the University of North Dakota. Gropp is the team mate of Vees captain Troy Stecher who's also committed to the University of North Dakota as well. Gropp is said to be one of the top forwards from the 1996 age group. Gropp is also a team mate of  in coming freshman Wade Murphy who's set to make his debut at UND this fall.

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: 2013 NHL Draft results (thehockeywriters.com)
• Rangers choose center Adam Tambellini with their first pick (newsday.com)

Tambellini and Murphy face off in the playoffs

UND recruit Adam Tambellini’s team the Surrey Eagles won the BCHL championship as they beat the Penticton Vees 3-2 in overtime of game six.

Incidentally, the Vees are the junior team of UND recruit, forward Wade Murphy.  

The game winning goal was scored by Adam Tambellini at 2:34 of the second overtime. [click to watch the video] and here is a video of highlights from the BCHL playoffs.

The 2012-13 line on Adam Tambellini regular season stats (36g-29a—65pts) in 52 games. Tambelini followed his strong regular season scoring (10g-8a—18pts) in 17 playoff games, which is good for 3^rd place among the BCHL playoff scoring leaders.  Earlier this season, Tambelini was traded from the Vernon Vipers to the Surrey Eagles.

Penticton Vees forward Wade Murphy had a strong season for the Penticton Vees scoring (23g-47a—70pts) in 50 games and (5g-6a—11pts) in 15 playoff games, which is good for 11^th place among the BCHL playoff scoring leaders.

BCHL recruit Wade Murphy commits to UND

UND picked up a pretty big recruit this week when the school signed forward Wade Murphy of the Penticton Vees (British Columbia Hockey League). Last season Murphy scored (36g-55a—91pts) in 60 games - this is the same Murphy who had recently decommitted from Merimack College.

I found this little tidbit while reading the Mack Report yesterday – just for the record Mike McMahon is not saying this happened; just this is what the USHR has said.

Additionally, according to a report on USHR:

"There were whispers in Chilliwack that a certain WCHA school may have nudged the Victoria, BC native (Murphy) to decommit.”

Just for the record Murphy played on the same team as Notre Dame recruit Mario Lucia (42g-51a—93pts) last season and finished right behind him in points. Murphy should be one of the top players on the Pentiction Vee's this season as well. Here is what Murphy told the Times Colonist about his decision to play for the University of North Dakota.

The Victoria native on Wednesday officially committed to the University of North Dakota which has produced the likes of current NHLers Jonathan Toews, J.P. Parise and T.J. Oshie and former NHLers like Ed Belfour, Dennis Hextall, Craig Ludwig, James Patrick, Dave Tippett and Garry Valk.

“I saw the rink, the facilities are unbelievable and the coaching staff is terrific, and the players’ passion is just as great,” Murphy, a member of the RBC Cup-champion Penticton Vees, said over the phone on Wednesday.

“This was the choice from the get-go,” added Murphy, who zeroed in on UND shortly after deciding not to attend Merrimack. He will head to UND next season.