By Kristina Costabile - GOJHL.ca Contributing Writer

It’s been quite a year for Ancaster, ON native Connor Murphy, the top scorer for the Caledonia Pro-Fit Corvairs, one of the top teams in the GOJHL and part of a 24 game winning streak to start the season.

The 17-year-old centre was named one of North America’s best-ranked skaters sitting at the 174th spot in the National Hockey League’s draft prospect list, the only player from the GOJHL to make the list.

This is not what Murphy is focusing on for the rest of the season though.

“The main thing is just to do whatever I can every day, every game to help the team get better,” he said. “Our goal from the beginning of the season was to win the Sutherland Cup and I think we have a special group of guys that can do it.”

Murphy is modest, but knows that his play is a big part of the team.

“I think that I’m strong in all three zones, I create a lot of offence and create a lot of plays for my line mates,” he said. “I’m really responsible in my own end and a good faceoff guy as well.”

At just 5’10”, Murphy is a play maker who relies more on skill than brawn.  He’s happy that the NHL is cracking down on hooking and holding, giving good skaters more of a chance to make the cut.

“You are seeing it more and more, smaller guys are getting the opportunity to play and really contribute,” he said.

He said that one of his favourite players, Sidney Crosby, is never the biggest player on the ice.  

“It just shows that if you work hard enough and do all the right things you can really overcome the size thing,” said Murphy.

Murphy said that hockey is important to him, but his education is also just as important.

“In school right now I’m taking sciences so I’m really looking to get into medicine.”

This is what made the decision, although it was a tough one, to go the NCAA route instead of going with the OHL. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Owen Sound Attack just two years ago. Murphy has committed to the University of Michigan on a hockey scholarship.

“I can’t say enough good things about Owen Sound. They’ve been great with me the last couple of years,” he said. “The NCAA route just seemed like a great way to get the best of both worlds. You play real high-level hockey but still get a great education.”

Inspiration came from his father when Murphy was just a young boy playing minor hockey.

“Growing up he was always a huge driving force behind me playing the game. He really introduced me to the game,” he said. “I can’t really thank him enough for everything he’s done for me.”

Murphy has a great chance to be drafted into the NHL this year if his great play and leadership continues with the team and helps them towards a Sutherland Cup championship.

(This article originally appeared in the 2014 Edition of OHA Blueline Magazine)