by Adam DeWolf
SAHSHockey.com

Alaska’s reputation for developing hockey talent has grown dramatically over the last several years. With locally grown talent like Scott Gomez, Matt Carle and Ty Conklin making waves in the NHL, and numerous other Alaskans making an impact at all levels of hockey, it’s not surprising that USA hockey would take note. They recently signed 15 year old Anchorage born Goaltending standout Adam Murray.

Adam departed Anchorage in early January for Ann Arbor Michigan to join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) U17 team.

Murray, a 6’ 1”, 180-pound Goaltender, is one of 23 players on the prestigious team, which features some of the best amateur talent in the United States. The NTDP consists of two national teams, the U.S. National under 18 Team and the U.S. National under 17 team. The Program’s goal is to prepare student athletes under the age of 18 for participation on the U.S. National Teams, and for future hockey careers. Efforts focus on high-caliber play and on developing well rounded individuals off the ice. The success of the NTDP isn’t gauged on wins and losses, but on acquiring skills and experience.

The NTDP teams play exhibition games against junior and college teams – including some of the top programs in the United States. The team’s schedule runs until the World Under-18 Championships in April. The two teams combine to play more than 110 games each season vs. collegiate, U.S. junior and international competition.

The program has been instrumental in helping the United States capture gold medals at the 2002, 2005 and 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championships and the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship. In the eight years NTDP players have been eligible for the draft, 124 players have been selected.

Adam hopes to move on to play college hockey. He’s on the right path. The rewards reaped by the NTDP participants are obvious. Since the introduction of the program in 1996, 125 alums have gone on to play Division I college hockey, and 76 have been drafted by NHL teams. In the 2003 Entry Draft 15 players were chosen, including a record four in the first round. The program also produced the first-overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft (Erik Johnson) as well as a handful of top draft choices.

“Youth Hockey in Alaska is very competitive and fun. But this is a great opportunity. I feel honored to be selected to play for Team USA” says Adam.

Before leaving to join the NTDP, Adam attended South Anchorage High School where he was a sophomore, and played for Wolverines Varsity team. Adam’s older brother Brett also plays for the Wolverines as a defenseman. When High School hockey is not in session Adam plays for the Alaska All Stars U18AAA Team.

“Adam has a bright future ahead. He has remained very focused during this transitional period. He is well liked by those who play with him and coach him”, according to Mike Ashley, Adam’s coach at South Anchorage High.


Bill Dubinsky, Adam’s Alaska All Stars 18AAA coach notes “The NTDP have a great training facility and the staff and resources to help Adam develop to his full potential as a goaltender. Adam has the skills, even temperament, and competitive spirit to play at that level and keep improving his game. Most players in the NTDP program are able to earn a Division I College scholarship. NTDP players are scouted heavily and get a better opportunity to be drafted into the NHL than players in the USHA or NAHL”.

The Ann Arbor Ice Cube, where the teams train and practice, is a million-dollar facility in which the NTDP occupies its own wing. The Ice Cube is equipped with three ice sheets (one of Olympic size), one locker room for each team, six offices, a conference room, video room, classroom, a giant 5,000 square-foot weight room and training area, a full-time strength and conditioning coach on-site, a power-skating coach, two athletic trainers and available sport psychologists and nutritionists.

The NTDP isn’t just about hockey. The participants are expected to maintain their academic progress in addition to their hockey responsibilities. “Adam will attend public High School full time. The school has a very close relationship with the NTDP program and works with the players to accommodate their heavy travel schedule. If needed there are resources available for tutoring. He will remain in Ann Arbor through the end of the semester - June 15th 2007”, according to Pam Murray, Adam’s mom.

Adam began his hockey career at age 7, playing for the local Boys and Girls club house program. Only a year later he tried out for the Boys and Girls club tier two competitive program. It was here with the Bulldogs that he found his home in the net. He remained with the Bulldogs for three seasons before making the move to the Alaska All Stars and Tier 1 hockey. He has played with the All Stars for the last 5 seasons.

Adam has amassed a very impressive resume during his years playing youth hockey in Alaska, including 5 state championships, 4 trips to USA Hockey Regional and National tournaments, and 2 time Alaska and Pacific districts selects finalist. He also won the USA Hockey National Goalie Skills competition as a Bantam, and Alaska State High School Skills competition in 2006. He was selected 99th overall in the 2005 WHL bantam draft by the Moose Jaw warriors, though he chose not to play in the WHL.


Murray earned the opportunity to join the NTDP after he was invited to the USA Hockey Selects National Player Development Camps for the last two years, where he was noticed by scouts with USA Hockey. Based upon his success there and impressive hockey resume, he was offered a position on the U-17 team. “Adam always works hard to improve and stays focused on his goals for the next level” observes Tim Murray, Adam’s father.