Esmark Stars U18 forward Andrew Murphy has signed a North American Hockey League tender agreement with the Johnstown Tomahawks.
Murphy, 17, is a Youngstown, Ohio native and just finished up his first season as a U18 and second season with the Esmark Stars. He tallied 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 18 regular season NAPHL games, leading the Stars to a very successful postseason where they came out on top as the Dixon Cup league champions. Through five playoff games, Murphy recorded seven points (one goal, six assists). Three of those helpers came in the championship game.
Murphy is big-bodied, with a 6-foot-three, 205-pound frame, and used his size and skill set to garner 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 57 total games, including two powerplay scores, for the Stars. Murphy will continue using his athleticism to his advantage and has a very high ceiling. He could easily dominate at the next level.
“Murph is going to be an exciting player to watch,” Stars U18 head coach Dave Kosick said in a press release. “With his frame and skill set, and with continued development … he is a player who could dominate at the next level.”
Last season, when Murphy was a U16, he lead Esmark to its first Dixon Cup Championship with 22 points (15 goals, seven assists) in 27 tilts. Five of those 27 games in which he collected a point came in the postseason, where Murphy seems to really thrive. The 17-year-old was responsible for the game-winning goals in both the semi-final and championship games.
He’s the fourth player from the Stars’ U18 team to sign an NAHL tender agreement and will join teammate Ethan Webb in Johnstown under head coach Mike Letizia. This season’s Tomahawks feature Esmark Stars alumni Tyrik Barkley (Serra) and Christian Gorsack (Hempfield).
