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Veteran forward of 116 NHL contests inks in Victoria; D-man Gord Burnett added to blue line in deal

November 23, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that they have signed forward Garth Murray for the 2010-11 season, and have acquired defenseman Gord Burnett from the Trenton Devils in exchange for future considerations.

The 28-year old Murray joins the Salmon Kings following a full 2009-10 campaign with the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League (AHL) where he served as the team's captain. In 80 games last year with the Heat he scored a career best 31 points (9g-22a) while serving 169 minutes in penalties. Murray also appeared in all 13 Calder Cup Playoff contests this spring in Abbotsford where he recorded three points (1g-2a) while tallying 34 penalty minutes.

The Regina, SK native is a veteran of 355 AHL contests between the Heat, Hartford Wolf Pack, Hamilton Bulldogs and San Antonio Rampage. During his time in the AHL, Murray has amassed 109 points (46g-63a) and 823 minutes in penalties.

The 6-2, 215 lb forward has also appeared in 116 career National Hockey League (NHL) contests over five seasons (2003-04, 2005-06 thru 2008-09) with the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes. Over the course of his NHL career Murray has notched eight goals and two assists for 10 points with 131 minutes in penalties. He also appeared in six NHL Playoff games with Montreal during the 2005-06 season, recording no points or penalty minutes. Murray has been under NHL contract to all five teams he has played for, as well as the Calgary Flames.

For his professional career, the New York Rangers' draft pick (2001, Round 3, #79 overall) has accumulated 54 goals and 65 assists for 119 points across 471 appearances, including 954 penalty minutes.

Murray was a member of the Canadian National Team that won the silver medal at the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic. In seven games during the tournament he scored six points (3g-3a) and received 12 minutes in penalties.

The veteran forward completed a five-year (1997-98 thru 2001-02) junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats prior to turning professional. In 204 career appearances in junior, Murray notched 45 goals and 47 assists for 92 points while notching 441 minutes in penalties. He also dressed for 15 WHL Playoff games with the Pats registering four points (2g-2a) and 17 penalty minutes.

Burnett, also a Regina, SK native, joins the Salmon Kings after dressing in two games for the Devils this season notching two goals. Burnett has spent parts of three seasons (2008-08 thru 2010-11) in Trenton, accumulating three points (2g-1a) and 108 minutes in penalties over the span of 24 games. In 124 career ECHL contests between Trenton, Phoenix. Elmira and Utah, Burnett has scored 18 points (2g-16a) with 397 minutes in penalties.

The 29-year old Burnett spent his 2007-08 campaign in the Central Hockey League (CHL) split between the Youngstown Steelheads and Laredo Bucks. In 36 games to start the year in Youngstown he accrued one goal and six assists for seven points with 133 minutes in penalties. Burnett moved to Laredo in a trade that saw him finish the year with seven assists and 92 penalty minutes with the Bucks. The blue-liner also dressed for 11 post-season contests in Laredo scoring one assist and serving 32 penalty minutes.

For his five-year professional career, Burnett has spread 32 points (3g-29a) and 622 minutes in penalties over 183 contests. He has also appeared in 11 professional playoff games, notching one assist and 32 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning professional, Burnett completed a four-year career (2002-03 thru 2005-06) with the College of St. Scholastica Saints in the NCAA III division. In 104 career games at school he registered 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points while amassing 277 minutes in penalties.

The Salmon Kings return home this week to open a three-game set versus the Idaho Steelheads on Wednesday, November 24th, with contests to follow on Friday, November 26th and Saturday, November 27th. Puck drop for all three games is 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.

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