MURRAY ELEVATING HIS GAME IN PURSUIT OF BECOMING 'PERMANENT NHL PLAYER'
Sep 29, 2022By Suzie Cool
“There's kind of a buzz around the locker room, around the organization. Everyone is really excited to here, to be a part of this,” said forward Brett Murray when asked if the vibes around the locker room at training camp seemed similar to where the Buffalo Sabres organization left off last season.
You can most certainly see – and feel – that something great is right around the corner for everyone in the organization. All you have to do is follow the team’s social channels or watch the preseason action to figure that out.
Including for Murray, who has spent the last two seasons bouncing back and forth between the Amerks and Sabres rosters.
Between the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, Murray has appeared in 21 games with the Sabres. Last season the forward totaled career highs in the National Hockey League with his six points on two goals and four assists.
Going into this year, Murray knows that he’ll need to continue to compete every day in order to earn that full time spot in the best league in the world.
“Just competing every day,” commented Murray when asked what it would take to be in the NHL on a permanent basis after seeing the pool of talent at training camp this year. “There's a lot of skill here. There's a lot of compete and just bringing my level above the guy beside me in the locker room because they're going to bring it. So, I got to bring it even more.”
Last season Murray proved that he could bring it in the American Hockey League.
Using his size and skill around the crease, Murray posted a career-high 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in 52 regular season games with Rochester. In the postseason, Murray elevated his game to an even higher level, appearing in all 10 playoff contests for the Amerks while totaling six points, including an overtime game-winner to help the Amerks advance to the North Division Semifinals.
However, the Amerks forward knew that more work needed to be put in this summer no matter the year he had just four months ago.
“To try to get better in all aspects of the game – speed, quickness, size, strength, shot – everything. I'm still trying to make that jump to become a permanent NHL player,” expressed Murray when discussing what his focus was during the offseason to try and propel himself to the NHL going into the 2022-23 campaign.
Murray hasn’t missed a beat as training camp began last week in Buffalo. The forward has jumped right into the fast-paced practices, ready for their intensity and able to keep up with the best of the best while trying to earn his spot.
“It's going great,” stated Murray when asked how Sabres training camp has been so far. “Our practices are high-paced, intense and everyone's bringing their best. So, it's exciting to be here and watch everyone.”
The most exciting part about training camp this year isn’t the fact that Murray is finally settling into the role that he can play with the Sabres organization, but the fact that everyone knows that something good is happening here.
Including Murray himself.
“I think everyone can feel something good happening here and a lot of these young guys are bringing a lot of energy, the older guys are bringing the leadership and it's a great mix. Something good is happening.”
The Amerks hit the ice at The Blue Cross Arena for their first day of training camp in the Flower City next Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m.
Rochester’s first preseason matchup is in Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 5:00 p.m. against the Syracuse Crunch. The Amerks then return home to host the Utica Comets on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 5:00 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. Tickets start at $15 and are on sale now! Season Ticket Members can claim up to four free tickets, as an exclusive Season Ticket Member benefit.
Amerks Season Ticket Memberships for the 2022-23 season are on sale now. Season Ticket Memberships start as low as $15 per game and come with a number of Members-only perks and benefits. Full Season, Half Season and Quarter Season Membership options are all available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, visit www.amerks.com/memberships.