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.

(Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

There are a lot of story lines from the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs - the defending Stanley Cup Champions went out in the first round with hardly a whimper. The Bruins found out that their all world goalie Tim Thomas had probably played his final game with the Boston Bruins.

The unlikeable team in the NHL the Vancouver Canuncks were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs - that was the second year in a row that the Canucks were beaten by the Stanley Cup Champion during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

An American team captain Dustin Brown accepted the Stanley Cup from the commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman.

The last three Conn Smythe Trophy winners (Jonathan Towes (UND), Tim Thomas (UVM) and Jonathan Quick (UMASS) all played Division I college hockey.

Matt Greene became the 12th former Fighting Sioux hockey player to get his name on the Stanley Cup, here are the other 11 former Fighting Sioux hockey players to get their name on the Stanley Cup. s/t @UNDSID

UND's Stanley Cup Champions
Craig Ludwig, Montreal, 1985-86
Geoff Smith, Edmonton, 1989-90
Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh, 1990-91
Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh, 1991-92
Troy Murray, Colorado, 1995-96
Ed Belfour, Dallas, 1998-99
Tony Hrkac, Dallas, 1998-99
Craig Ludwig, Dallas, 1998-99
Rick Wilson, Dallas, 1998-99 (assistant coach)
Brad Bombardir, New Jersey, 1999-00
Mike Commodore, Carolina, 2005-06
Jonathan Toews, Chicago, 2009-10 (Conn Smythe Trophy winner)
Matt Greene, Los Angeles, 2011-12

The Stanley Cup Finals featured three players that played their college hockey at the University of North Dakota - Matt Greene L.A. Kings, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac New Jersey.