| Ty Murchison | NTDP U18 | USHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 190 | Arizona State | 2021 | Corona, CA | 2003 | 2020-2021: C+ |
USHL: NTDP U18 vs Chicago Steel, March 6 2021: In a puck possession contest Murchison looked right at home. He was very comfortable in the all three zones sucking an opponent to him, accepting the attacking player’s pressure and making either clean direct passes to his teammates or using the wall for an indirect outlet. When activating for the scissor play on the offensive zone mid wall Murchison used his body to shield the puck extending puck possession. Simply he showed poise when walking the offensive blue in either direction and his point shots were hard accurate and did not get blocked. On the rare dump in Murchison retrieved the puck with the purpose of generating a quick smooth breakout and was effective when jumping in the rush as the 4th attacker.
NAHL: NTDP U18 vs. St. Cloud, October 2020: Murchison was solid on the blue-line for his team this weekend contributing in all facets. He moves very smoothly across the blue-line with confidence and did a great job not forcing pucks through shin pads. He was excellent on the breakout as well hitting his forwards in stride and allowing them to keep their speed on the attack. Murchison is a big player and also plays with a physical edge and was dominant in the corners and net front battles. Also was good to see him stand up for his teammate that took a hard hit up high. He had an impressive weekend for his team. Grade: A
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2019: Murchison had a lot of eyes on him as arguably the best uncommitted defender in the country and he showed his rare skill set and potential. He’s tall, athletic, has very smooth hands and moves well for his size and frame. He uses his D partner well, is composed on breakouts and can make a quick move around a forechecker and quickly move the puck up ice. He has a quick and hard wrister that he gets off quickly from the point and through traffic which led to a rebound goal in the first game and he also showed a heavy one-timer on the power play. His puck handling ability is what most stands out as he plays a possession game, he waits for lanes to open and can stickhandle around and through opponents in the neutral zone. At times he overhandles and needs to make the more simplified play but that’s easy to teach. Defensively he was athletic, he got to spots, he uses his reach well and was physical behind his net and around the net front. He has a nice combination of bite and skill but he’ll need to refine his game a bit for the next level but he clearly showed here that he not only belongs but should be on the team.
U16: USHL Fall Classic, October 2018: Ty is a smooth skating defender who makes the game look effortless. Calm under pressure and made the right read often. He can go back and get pucks and get them up ice quickly. His two-way game was strong as he defended well and got up in the play to support the rush. He has solid size and strength to go along with the effortless skating. His ability to play in every situation effectively was impressive. USNTDP Top 40 Candidate.
Pro-Am Junior Chowder Cup, August 2018: Ty is a fluid skater who plays a solid defensive game. Has a good frame and a strong lower half. He moves the puck up the ice quickly and will take open ice when its afforded to him. Takes good angles and kept good gaps through the neutral zone. Strong passer and retrieves pucks well and turns the play up the ice. Overall strong defender with some offensive upside. Weekend Grade: B+
U14 Nationals, April 2018: Ty played a solid all-around game. He is a tough defender who can play in every situation as well as special teams. Never forced anything, hit to defend, managed the puck and moved it quickly. He did a nice job of putting his forwards in good spots with the puck up ice. Gaps looked tight. Went back well for dumps and we liked that he showed a slippery element along the wall. Slid with contact when he had the puck and got off checks first when he didn’t. Reliable type with upside as a three-zone defender.
U14: Rocky Mountain Classic Bantam, November 2017: One of the best two-way defensemen at the tournament. Showing great intelligence in his own end with his puck moving decisions, always finding open forwards. He follows up the play closely to help out with offense, and when in trouble he also has the ability to skate the puck from his zone out of trouble. On the blue line his feet are moving all the time, he makes himself available as an outlet for his forwards. When he gets the puck he either gets a good shot through on net, or he outlets it low to a safe forward. Plays both first unit PP and PK. Grade: A
U14 Jamboree/U15 CA Development Camp, September 2017: Ty is another smooth skating defenseman from this highly rated Kings 2003 team. He reminds us of another great California D-man in Boston College Alum Scott Savage. He understands the game, is in the right place, has poise with the puck and makes perfect first passes. He made a handful of sneaky, nuanced, three-foot passes that made for quick transition out of the zone. He doesn’t thrill you on the offensive side of the game but he has a strong shot from the point and makes plays in the O-zone.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images