North Carolina's Colleen Murphy Continues Her NWHL Commute, Signs with Riveters
June 10, 2019 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Metropolitan Riveters News Release
Colleen Murphy, who has regularly commuted from North Carolina to make her professional hockey career possible, has signed with the Metropolitan Riveters for her third NWHL season. She previously spent a season each with the Connecticut Whale and Buffalo Beauts.
"I wanted to come back to the NWHL because I believe in the platform it's created for women's hockey and I want to continue to play at the highest level possible," said Murphy. "I believe the league has taken steps and will continue to move in the right direction for the women's game."
Murphy spent 15 games with the Beauts in 2017-18 before joining the Whale for nine games in the 2018-19 season. She has four assists in her NWHL career.
The Cary, North Carolina native has shown incredible dedication to her hockey career in her two seasons with the league, commuting to and from her hometown each week to represent her NWHL team. She says her company, Tower Engineering Professionals in Raleigh, where she works in human resources and safety coordination, has been "extremely supportive and cooperative" with her travel schedule.
She is also active in helping the girls' hockey community in North Carolina, a market which has made tremendous strides in recent years. In addition to running clinics and working with the Carolina Junior Hurricanes, she appeared on an NHL Carolina Hurricanes broadcast, discussing the growth of girls' and women's hockey in North Carolina.
"It's rewarding knowing that I'm a part of something that has a positive impact on an area that doesn't even have an NWHL team close to it," said Murphy. "I think that speaks volumes to the outreach the league has conducted. I've received an incredible amount of support and I want to continue to be a role model for girls in my home state. Being in the league gives me that opportunity and it's important to keep building on the momentum that's been initiated."
Prior to her professional career, Murphy played four seasons at Northeastern. She posted 50 points (12-38-50) in 138 games with the Huskies and was named a Hockey East All-Star Honorable Mention as a junior. She blocked a career-high 39 shots as a senior and finished her career with a plus-14 rating.
"I would describe myself as a consistent and hard-working player," said Murphy. "I like to bring a level of physicality and aggressiveness to my game in order to be strong defensively. I pride myself on being consistent day in and day out so that my coaches and teammates know what to expect."
Murphy played her high school hockey at the North American Hockey Academy, finishing with 187 points (43-144-187) and helping the team to a JWHL Championship in 2011. She also posted the team's best plus-minus rating from 2009-11.
"Colleen is a skilled and versatile defender who plays with a great deal of tenacity," said Riveters general manager Kate Whitman Annis. "Her dedication to playing in the NWHL and serving as a role model for young players in North Carolina is truly commendable. We're thrilled that she has decided to join the Riveters. Colleen will be a vital part of our lineup."
Murphy joins Kaleigh Fratkin as the only NWHL players to suit up for three different teams in their careers.
"Since I'll be a part of a new team, my goals are to get to know the organization and find a place for myself within it," said Murphy. "I'm very excited to be with the Riveters and ultimately want to bring the Isobel Cup back."
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Premier Hockey Federation Stories from June 10, 2019
- North Carolina's Colleen Murphy Continues Her NWHL Commute, Signs with Riveters - Metropolitan Riveters
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