Niagara Hockey: Ryan Murphy gets lengthy suspension for DWI offense

Wow! When I read this news story, I was shocked. The AG School to the south could learn a thing or two on how to discipline and athlete. This is a big loss for the Purple Eagles, because Ryan Murphy is the returning scorer for the team (15g-21a—36pts).

Nancy Fischer, Buffalo News – Ryan Murphy, a senior forward for the Niagara hockey team, will be arraigned in Lewiston Town Court on Wednesday on charges stemming from an accident on Sept. 29.

Murphy has been suspended from the team until Jan. 13.

According to a post on the Lewiston Police Department’s Facebook page, a 24-year old male was arrested for driving while intoxicated and other vehicle and traffic violations after a two-car accident on Lewiston Hill. According to the post, the male refused his breath and blood tests and was transported to ECMC for evaluation.

Niagara County Sheriffs confirmed that Murphy was the driver.

“For violations to the Niagara University student code of conduct and the athlete code of conduct, Ryan has been suspended by the Niagara University men’s hockey team until Jan. 13, 2014,” Niagara coach Dave Burkholder said. “This suspension, which covers over 50 percent of the 2013-14 season, is effective.” Monday. “The expectation is that Ryan will continue as a student at Niagara with plans to rejoin the team for the second half of the season.”

I applaud this suspension and think that it’s time that other programs and sports teams follow suit. Some of the stuff that is allowed in Division I football and other sports is appalling. This is a substantial suspension, this hockey player is going to miss 18 games for this offense that’s half of the season and he’s also one of the top players from last season’s team. It’s obvious that the Niagara coaching staff doesn’t take a win at all cost attitude.

Tale of two calls (McCabe & Hartman)

Speaking of bad calls, today, USA captain and Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Jake McCabe was kicked out of the game between the USA and Canada on this play. After watching the video numberous times, I can't find a penalty. In my opinion, McCabe was incorrectly given a two minute minor and a game misconduct for contact to the head. I don't see it. Do you?



Today, the team USA had two contact to the head penalties, the second one was this hit by Ryan Hartman on Canada's Ryan Murphy and that was a legitimate contact to the head. It will be interesting to see if Hartman ends up with a disciplinary hearing for his hit on Murphy.