STORY via Darnell Duff | 730 CKDM
DAUPHIN, MB - 57 games in the books.
32 victories and second place in the MGEU West Division. 195 goals for and several statement wins throughout the campaign. For the Dauphin Kings, the regular season comes down to one final game.
On Saturday night, the team welcomes the Winnipeg Blues to town for Awards and Rain Check Night at Credit Union Place. Dauphin eyes their 33rd win of the season and another positive heading into the Turnbull Cup playoffs.
For 20-year-old Dauphin star Madden Murray, this is it. Saturday is his final Junior A regular-season game. It'll come in front of his family and friends. It promises to be an emotional and special night.
"I'm kind of sad. I've had so much fun these past three years," said Murray. "Hopefully, we go on a deep playoff run, so it doesn't end too soon."
Starting with his MJHL debut with the team during the 2022-23 season, Madden played 125 regular-season games in the Blue & White. He's also played 10 playoff games. Madden has 81 regular-season points and two in the playoffs.
When asked what being a King has meant for the hometown star, Murray was emotional in his response.
"It's meant the world to me. I grew up watching this team," added Murray. "To get to play three years here with some of my best friends, it was some of the best times of my life."
Madden has five goals and nine points in his last eight games. He's posted a career high of 38 points this year, 14 of which are goals. He's been playing alongside Ash Mitchelmore and Josh Schmidt.
"Ash, Josh, and I have really started to figure it out in the past 10 games or so," continued Murray. "We've been playing well, and will look to keep it going."
Murray was a catalyst in the team's victory last Saturday. He slid a perfect pass to Josh Schmidt, and Schmidt did the rest to open up the scoring. Murray then drilled in his 14th of the year to record his 13th multi-point game of the season.
The victory against Virden ended a perfect weekend for the Kings. They previously beat Waywayseecappo on Friday, 4-3, in overtime. It was also Dauphin's second straight win against their rival, the Oil Capitals.
"Yeah, it felt really good," added Murray. "They're a good team. It's always nice to get a win against a top team like that, especially a rival of ours."
While Murray is completely dialled in right now as Dauphin prepares for the Turnbull Cup playoffs, some excitement in his life has been added down the road. Murray has committed to the University of Victoria Vikes.
The Vikes are a member of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League.
"The coach reached out to me a couple of months ago, and I was really interested based on the location," said Murray. "It's a beautiful spot with so much to do. Garrett Hrechka, who is a former King, helped a lot. I feel that it's the best fit for me."
Pen to paper, confirmed. Madden Murray is a King now. Next season, he will be a Vike.
"I'm really excited, I'm excited for next season, and the next four years," commented Murray.
An avid golfer whose game has improved a ton this year, thanks to his work and dedication to honing his craft at the Caddies Golf Simulator and Lounge, Murray says the amount of beautiful golf courses in that part of the country is a bonus.
"Beautiful golf, beautiful. That was one of the dealbreakers," he said.
Game one of the playoffs will open next Friday at Credit Union Place. It'll be either the Waywayseecappo Wolverines or Neepawa Titans. If the Wolverines earn one point in their next three games, they'll finish third and play the Kings.
It's Murray's last chance to go on a run. Last year ended in heartbreak. This year, it's revenge time. Murray is ready to go to war with his teammates. The big dance is right around the corner, and the Kings are flying high, ready to make some noise.
"I think we're feeling good, everything is starting to click right now," ended Murray. "As long as we keep it up through the playoffs, I think we're going to have a pretty good run."
Stay tuned to hear Madden's full chat with Darnell Duff during Friday's Dauphin Kings Power Play Show. That's after the 4:00 p.m. news, weather, business, and sports.