Blue- liner Murray relishing sweaty audition for Flames
Daily bag skates don’t appear to be upsetting Douglas Murray.
Minutes after his latest extended session, with sweat pouring off his brow, with reporters standing at his dressing- room stall, the big man was unfazed.
Actually, he seemed quite pleased.
“If I wasn’t here right now, I’d be at home on the couch,” said Murray, with a grin. “So I’m enjoying this a lot more than being at home.
“When you don’t have any other options, it’s easy to be patient.”
Murray, of course, is practising with the Calgary Flames in the hopes of wringing a few more games out his National Hockey League career.
He’s got a chance — now one week into his audition for a spot on the battered blue- line of the Flames.
But the 35- year- old has no contract. He awaits the green light.
“I’m always ready to play,” said Murray, who’s suited 518 times in the NHL. “You can call me in the middle of the summer and I’ll go out there and play. I feel good.”
But when he’s not skating, when he’s not working out, Murray is watching.
And, Thursday morning, he provided a unique perspective on the Flames.
“From what I’ve seen around here, they’ve got a really good veteran presence,” said Murray. “From what I’ve seen, too, the young guys don’t act like young guys and they don’t play like young guys. You don’t see a lot of unnecessary turnovers ( from them) — they play a simple game, which comes a lot with experience at this time of year. Because usually it’s mistakes that cost you.
“Hopefully, I can contribute if I get the chance, but I think this team is playing pretty mature for its age.”
As for his regular- season deployment — the Swede would not be eligible for playoff action — neither player nor coach could shed light on the matter.
Bob Hartley, though, has come to appreciate Murray.
“You know what? He is a true professional,” said the skipper. “I don’t know where we’re at as an organization in making a decision with Douglas, but I’ve enjoyed every minute that he’s been with us. He hasn’t taken a day off … he’s in the gym, he’s on the ice, he’s around the team. He’s a great team guy. I don’t know what’s going to be the final decision between Douglas and management, but he’s been great.
“At any point, there was no promises that he’d be playing."
FLAMES LAND COVETED NCAA REARGUARD
Kenney Morrison didn’t fret about the Western Hockey League draft.
The phone failed to ring that day, so he settled for playing midget in his home town of Lloydminster, before embarking on a couple of Junior A campaigns — 2010- 11 with the BCHL Alberni Valley Bulldogs, 2011- 12 with the USHL Omaha Lancers.
All the while, National Hockey League drafts quietly came and went. No matter. Morrison immersed himself in Western Michigan University’s program.
“I’ve played hockey my whole life,” the 23- year- old said Thursday night. “My dad told me, ‘ Just go have fun and you’ll have success.’ And I’ve been having fun along the way.
“It’s worked out that I’ve been able to move up to the next level over the past five, six years.” One more level is within sight. Because the young man, blooming late, became a hot commodity. Wooed by many, Morrison signed a two- year entry level deal with the Calgary Flames.
“It’s been a roller- coaster for me, a pretty exciting time,” said the defenceman, six- foot- two and 205 pounds. “Everything’s kind of new to me … dealing with something you’ve been working toward your whole life, dreaming of as a little kid. “It’s a relief, for sure.” Knowing that Morrison was prepared to leave school after his junior year had created a buzz among bird- dogs.
“Fourteen teams were ( represented) at the last game and a lot were in to see him,” said Craig Conroy, assistant general manager of the Flames. “Talking to his agent, there were definitely a lot of other teams involved.
“To see guys that have played in college and get a chance, that’s what they want. They want an opportunity to come in and prove themselves.”
For another week, Morrison will tend to academic commitments at the Kalamazoo- based campus. Then he’ll join Adirondack of the American Hockey League.
“Exciting and unknown,” said Morrison. “I know I have to go there and earn a spot to be in the lineup, just show what I have … just prove that I belong there.”
The Flames’ interest in Morrison is understandable — needing to stock their cupboards, particularly on defence. A two- way rearguard fits the bill. “I like being on the offensive side of things,” said Morrison, who, in his 115 games at Western Michigan, recorded 54 points and 151 penalty minutes, “but I like taking care of my own end as well.”