The Spruce Grove Saints are proud to announce 1998 born Matthew Murray, has committed to play for the University of Massachusetts. The UMASS Minutemen are a member of the Hockey East Conference and play against other teams such as Boston University, Notre Dame and Providence.
From St. Albert and in his second year with the club, Matt has already accomplished many goals at the young age of 18. Last season Matt backstopped the Saints to their second consecutive AJHL Championship as a rookie, while also sharing in the Top Goaltending award, which is awarded to the AJHL team with the lowest GAA. In his 2 seasons with the Saints, Matt has totalled some very impressive numbers with a 2.21 GAA and a .915 SAV %.
This season, Matt played in all games for Team West at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and won a gold medal for Canada versus Russia in the finals. He was also named to the CJHL Top Prospects game held in Surrey, BC this past January.
“I'm extremely excited to commit to the University of Massachusetts. I would like thank all the coaches and volunteers involved with the Spruce Grove Saints organization, who have given me every opportunity to succeed. I'd also like to thank my friends and family for their continued support, and my grandparents as well, who have supported me throughout my years in hockey and rarely miss a gam,” stated Matt Murray. “I'd like to thank my goalie coaches who've helped develop my game and improve my mental strength both on and off the ice. I am honoured and blessed to have been given the opportunity to continue my hockey career with the University of Massachusetts Minutemen and I am extremely excited at what the future will hold.”
“Matt has made tremendous strides in his year and a half as a Spruce Grove Saint. The growth that he has shown has been remarkable. A young goaltender at the age of 18 establishing himself as an elite goaltender in our league; you don’t see that very often,” mentions Head Coach Jason McKee. “We are very happy where Matt is in his development, and we are looking forward to continue to work with Matt until his eventual departure to the NCAA”.
The Saints organization would like to congratulate Matt and his family on this step in his career and wish him continued success moving forward both athletically and academically.
Matt is the 5th Saint player committed to post secondary this season:
- Colton Leiter (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
- Brandon Biro (Penn State University)
- Connor James (University of Alabama-Huntsville)
- Tyler Busch (Arizona State University)
- Matt Murray (University of Massachusetts)