Madden Murray has one goal this year. It’s to win a ring.
He doesn’t care how many points he produces, he only cares if the team wins. The hometown Dauphin star is all about the team.
Madden grew up watching the Dauphin Kings play. Gifted with great skills at a very young age paired with an incredible work ethic and passion for the game, Murray had always dreamt of playing with the hometown Junior A team.
His boyhood dream came true last year when Madden played 33 regular season games with the Kings and three in the playoffs.
Murray is now back with the team and loving every minute of it.
“I have always wanted to be a King, I have looked up to this organization since I was a young kid,” said Murray. “It’s pretty cool to come full circle and play in front of the fans and kids, it’s an incredible feeling.”
After his rookie season concluded with Dauphin, Murray hit the weight room and had a great summer of growth, putting on muscle in the process. Murray came into training camp on a mission and was one of the most impressive players on the ice.
In talks with Doug Hedley before the team’s first game last week, he was very impressed with Murray and how he came prepared.
“Madden was one of our best players throughout camp and that has continued into the regular season,” offered Hedley, the team’s head coach and general manager. “He has great speed, a great work ethic, and he plays fearless. He is doing what he needs to do. We’re happy to have him; he put a lot of work into this throughout the summer months.”
As Dauphin prepares for a home-and-home with Neepawa, Murray knows points will come if he continues to do what he has been doing. He’s winning races, battles, and creating chances and those chances are certainly soon to end up on the scoresheet.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about us winning, that is what matters,” said Murray. “As long as I’m getting chances, it means that I am doing something right, I just have to find a way to put them in.”
Madden will also always remember his second home opener as a King. He also suited up in last year’s home opener, a 7-1 win against Swan Valley.
This year, Dauphin beat Virden in their home opener, 4-2.
“That was special, especially because so many of my family and friends were at the game,” continued Murray. “It’s awesome getting the chance to play in front of everybody.”
With 15 returnees featured on this year’s roster, Dauphin is expected to be one of the contenders. Nothing is given but Madden believes this team is ready to live up to the hype.
“I feel like from day one that everyone has meshed together, we’re all tight and no one is left out,” commented Murray. “We all trust each other and that’s important, looking forward to the rest of the season.”
While Madden talks very highly of his relationship with Boston Karlson, he is looking forward to keeping a close eye on the Parkland U18 Rangers this year. A past member of the program himself, Madden’s cousin Forrest is with the U18 club this year.
“He deserves everything he has received, I have never seen anyone work as hard as he has,” ended Murray. “I know things will pay off for him in the end. It was awesome to see him get drafted by Red Deer in the spring, I’m very proud of him.”
When it comes to the Kings and when you can catch them in action next, they’ll return to Credit Union Place on Saturday for the back end of their home-and-home with Neepawa. That game is set for 7:30.