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Express Grant Murphy's Trade Wish

OWATONNA - In response to a surprise request by its leading scorer last season, the Southern Minnesota Express today traded Owatonna native Sean Murphy to the Waterloo (Iowa) Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League. In return, Southern Minnesota receives a substantial transfer fee and future considerations.

"Sean indicated to us after the Showcase that he wanted to play one season away from home so that he would be better prepared for college," said Express Coach and General Manager Pat Cullen. "As sad as we are to lose him, I can certainly understand his request. Hopefully the fans in Owatonna will understand, as well. He has been a tremendous asset to our program."

Murphy said the decision was motivated by the desire to prove himself in another league. "I'm pretty excited about it," he said. "I think it will be a good change for me, moving away from home. I'm just going with my heart. I can't say enough about the Express organization and everything they have done for me. I have a lot of respect for Coach Cullen and I can't thank him enough."

Murphy was the top returning scorer in the NAHL this season. He had 33 goals and 67 points for the Express, leading the team to the Central Division regular season and playoff championships. A graduate of Owatonna youth hockey and Owatonna High School and a lock to earn a roster spot with a major college hockey program next season, Murphy will be remembered as much for his contributions in the community as his spectacular play. The Express are expected to receive a significant player or players within the next few weeks as a result of this deal.

Murphy leaves Southern Minnesota having scored 42 goals and 88 points in 75 regular season and playoff games. In Waterloo, he will play for Owatonna native Shane Fukushima, who was recently hired by the Blackhawks as an assistant coach.

"Last year was the greatest year of my life and I stewed about this all summer," Murphy said. "It was a hard decision to make. The fans here have been so awesome. All of the kids in youth hockey have been great. Everything the Express have done has been a class act."

 

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U.S. National Under-17 Team Travels To Alpena To Begin Four-Game Road Trip

THIS WEEK: The U.S. National Under-17 Team will travel to Alpena, Mich., to take on the Alpena IceDiggers in a pair of North American Hockey League divisional games. Alpena, which has posted a 5-3-0 record this season, is tied with the NTDP atop the NAHL's north division. This weekend's contests are set for Friday (Oct. 6) and Saturday (Oct. 7) at the Northern

Ron DeGregorio President

Dave Ogrean Executive Director

1775 Bob Johnson Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906-4090 Phone: 719.576.8724 Fax: 719.538.1160 usahockey.com

Lights Arena (Alpena, Mich.). Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

U.S. HEAD COACH JOHN HYNES: John Hynes is in his fourth season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He has amassed a career record with the NTDP of 105-51-2-8 (W-L-OTL-T). Hynes has earned a gold (2006) and a silver medal (2004) at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championships as a head coach and a gold (2002) as an assistant. In 2005, Hynes led the U.S. National Under-17 Team to a first-place NAHL North Division regular-season finish and a North Division playoff championship, marking the first time this double feat was accomplished by the NTDP. Prior to his arrival in Ann Arbor, he spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Wisconsin.

Media & Public Relations Staff

Dave Fischer, Director [email protected] 719.538.1171

Christy Jeffries, Manager [email protected] 719.538.1169

Andy Madden, Coordinator National Team Development Program [email protected] 734.327.9251 x17

Craig Stancher, Brian Fishman Intern [email protected] 719.538.1172

LAST SEASON vs. Alpena: (9-2-0)

10/07 ALP 1 @ USA 7 10/08 ALP 3 @ USA 6 10/28 USA 4 @ ALP 3 (so) 10/29 USA 4 @ ALP 2 12/09 USA 5 @ ALP 2 01/27 ALP 2 @ USA 6 01/28 ALP 1 @ USA 6 02/25 USA 11 @ ALP 3 03/10 USA 2 @ ALP 3 03/11 USA 1 @ ALP 2 (so) 03/12 ALP 1 @ USA 6

U.S.

HEADCOACH JOHN HYNES ON THE WEEKEND AHEAD: "We'll bounce back this week. Our team continues to learn. If we keep playing with great effort, positive results on the scoreboard will come. As the boys become more comfortable - as a team and with what we are trying to teach them - they will start to raise the bar in terms of their on-ice performance."

GAME NOTES: U.S. forward Kelen Corkum (Newbury, Mass.) will not play this weekend due to injury ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team outscored Alpena by a 58-23 margin in 11 games last season.

U.S.

NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM NOTES: Forwards Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Jordan Schroeder (Prior Lake, Minn.) have set the pace offensively for the Under17 Team in 2006. Kristo leads the team in goals (4) and points (6) while Schroeder is tops on the team in assists (4) and is second in points (5) through four games this season ... The 2006-07 U.S. National Under-17 Team is comprised of 23 players from 10 different states. Minnesota is this year's leader in producing new NTDP players with five. Massachusetts and Michigan are

USA Hockey is a member of tied for second with each state being the home of four U.S. National Under-17 Team players. the International Ice Hockey Federation and the United States Olympic Committee.

 

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Roadrunners update

Roadrunners Sweep Wichita Falls

The Wichita Falls Wildcats traveled to Santa Fe, NM this weekend to play the 'Runners in a two game weekend series. The 'Runners came out victorious in both games. The first game was dominated by Roadrunner forward Tibor Kutalek , netting his first hat trick of the season en route to a 5-0 victory. Also lighting the lamp were forward Nate Hennig and defenseman Tim Possehl. Goaltender Nick Hopper turned aside all 14 shots he faced, recording his third shutout in six games.

The 'Runners beat the Wildcats Saturday night 5-3, with goals coming from Kutalek (2), Ben Kinne, Jason Krispel, and Nate Hennig. Nick Hopper minded the net again, marking his sixth win on the season.

Roadrunners Leading Scorers

Slovakian Forward Tibor Kutalek currently leads the Santa Fe Roadrunners 25 man roster in points. Kutalek has earned 8 goals, 4 assists, 12 points in 8 games. 4 of Tibor's 8 goals were on the Power Play. Along side Kutalek, Nate Hennig, Jason Krispel, and Josh Kamrass are all tied for second on the team with nine points in eight games. Hennig leads the league in Power Play goals (5) and Game Winning Goals (3) in his eight games of play.

Tibor Kutalek - 8 games played (8 goals, 4 assists, 12 pts)

Nate Hennig - 8 games played (6 goals, 3 assists, 9pts)

Jason Krispel - 8 games played (4 goals, 5 assists, 9pts)

Josh Kamrass - 8 games played (3 goals, 6 assists, 9pts)

'Runners Team Stats

Versus The Texas Tornado

The first place Santa Fe Roadrunners (6-1-1) will take on The Texas Tornado (4-3-1) this Friday and Saturday nights in Frisco, TX. The Tornado are currently in third place in the NAHL South Division. The 'Runners are 1-1 vs. the Tornado this year. A 3-2 SO victory last Friday, and a 2-1 loss that Saturday. The Roadrunners are 7-13-3 all time vs. Texas, and have won just 3 of 10 in Frisco.

Among League Leaders

Santa Fe Roadrunners forward Tibor Kutalek is currently tied for fourth place in the North American Hockey League for most points. Kutalek has 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points in just 8 games played. Tibor has already had one "HatTrick" this year so far. Nate Hennig, Jason Krispel, and Josh Kamrass are all tied for 14th in the NAHL on the leader board. All 3 players have nine points in eight games. Nate Hennig currently leads the league in Game Winning Goals with three, and Power Play goals with five. Goaltender Nick Hopper is second in the NAHL among top goaltenders. Hopper is 6-1-0, in the six games he played so far, along with three shutouts. Hopper is listed at a 1.41 Goals Against Average Per Game, while marking a .930 Save Percentage.

'Runners First In NAHL Standings

The Santa Fe Roadrunners are currently ranked first in the North American Hockey League, and in the South Division posting an impressive .813 win percentage. The 'Runners are 6-1-1 in the 8 games played so far this season. The Roadrunners will try to keep thier undefeated "Away" rankings (2-0) when they take on the Texas Tornado, Friday and Saturday nights in Frisco, TX. So far the 'Runners are 4-1-1 at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe.

Roadrunners Special Teams

The Roadrunners are posting an impressive 22.97 Power Play Percentage ranking first in the league. The 'Runners have scored 17 Power Play Goals in just 8 games so far this year. The Roadrunners are also first in the NAHL with Penalty Killing Percentage. The 'Runners have only allowed 3 shorthanded goals in out of a total of 57 opportunities.

 

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Rangers await the North Stars

In its second season, the Traverse CIty North Stars are still getting some firsts.

The Stars will meet the Marquette Rangers for the first time ever as TC heads to the Upper Peninsula to take on the North American Hockey League's newest team.

The Rangers will be well-rested, as Marquette will have had 12 days off since its last game.

"We gave the guys a couple days off so they could actually go look around town," Rangers coach Leigh Mendelson said.

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