Canada’s U-18s don’t medal, but Ryan Murray shines (updated)

Published 9:56 am Sunday, April 24, 2011

The short-handed Canadian U-18 team ended up finishing fourth at the U-18 World Championships after falling 6-4 to Russia in the bronze-medal game today in Crimmitschau, Germany. Canada, missing many of its top options because of the CHL playoffs, played well throughout the tournament, but was unable to overcome stacked U.S. and Russian teams.

Silvertips defenseman Ryan Murray captained the Canadians in the tournament and was stellar. Murray finished as Canada’s second-leading scorer, tallying 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games. He also must have seen a ton of ice time as based on the box scores he was on the ice for just about every Canadian goal, as well as a lot of opposing goals.

Murray, of course, is a late birthdate and therefore isn’t eligible for the NHL draft until next year. Murray would be a high first-round pick this year if he was eligible, and there will be no shortage of NHL scouts at Everett’s games next season. The only question is whether the scouts will continue to be enamored with Murray, or whether they will see him so much before his draft they begin nitpicking every tiny flaw, the way they have in the past with players like John Tavares.

But Tavares still went first overall, despite growing criticism as his draft approached, so I think Murray has little to worry about in the long run.

— UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.

The IIHF has released its list of each team’s top three players, as selected by the coaches. Murray was one of Canada’s three selections.

Murray was not named the tournament’s top defenseman. His teammate Ryan Murphy, who had 13 points in Canada’s seven games, got that nod. The reports I’ve read, however, were at least as complimentary of Murray as Murphy. They also said those two played really well together, particularly on the power play.