Ten years later, Murray is a first-year Dundas Blue and part of a group of new faces that have helped kick off a strong start to the local Junior C team’s season. Growing up in the Arizona minor hockey community, he recognized some differences between Canadian and American hockey.

“It’s more competitive in Canada,” Murray said. “It wasn’t a big sport (in Arizona). It’s growing. It’s getting better.”

He decided to head back north to further his development in the game in hopes of eventually joining a college team. He graduated from high school last year in Arizona.

Murray and his father researched potential hockey teams in Canada. Murray was already familiar with the Dundas area and decided to try out for the Junior C Blues.

He found the jump from AAA hockey in Arizona to Junior C in Ontario includes more physical play. But Murray said he’s happy with the transition he’s made so far. He burst onto the scene with a productive pre-season, scoring three goals and adding an assist in three games.

Although he may still be adjusting to Canadian Junior C hockey, Murray is already contributing to his new team. He earned his first regular season points in the team’s fifth game, scoring two goals to lead Dundas to a 5-4 win. Six games later, he added a goal and assist in a 7-1 win. And on Nov. 3 he had an assist on what turned out to be the game-winner in a 3-2 win over Caledonia.