Jordy Murray, a sophomore left winger for the Wisconsin men's hockey team, is often underestimated by opponents. He's listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, but he's strong, tough, relentless and skilled enough to skate on a top line and see time on the power play. He currently has three goals, three assists, six points and a plus-three rating after 10 games.

Murray comes from a hockey-oriented family. His father, Andy, coaches the St. Louis Blues of the NHL. Brother Brady starred at North Dakota, while sister Sarah plays at Minnesota-Duluth. Jordy Murray spoke after practice Monday.

QUESTION: How often to you talk to your dad?

ANSWER: "I talk to him almost every day, sometimes twice a day if he has something he wants to talk to me about. Yeah, he calls me every day.''

QUESTION: Is it all about hockey?

ANSWER: "A little bit of everything, but a lot of hockey, obviously.''

QUESTION: That seems like a neat thing, or is it so routine that it's not?

ANSWER: "At times it can be almost nagging. I wouldn't say nagging because that's kind of negative. It's kind of repetitive, but it needs to be said and he knows what he's talking about.''

QUESTION: Have you gotten any feedback from the folks at USA Hockey about playing for the U.S. in the World Junior Championships?

ANSWER: "I haven't talked with anyone. I don't know what's going on with that.''

QUESTION: Is that a possibility for you? Your name has been out there as a possible candidate even though you weren't invited to the tryout camp.

ANSWER: "I'd love to represent the U.S.A. They're going to pick the team they think can do the best in the tournament. It would be great if my name got on there, but I don't know. I didn't try out, so that will be tough.''

QUESTION: Why did you change uniform numbers from 18 to 28 after his freshman season?

ANSWER: "It's actually a funny story. I don't even think coach (Mike) Eaves knows about this. On my original (information) sheet, I wrote 28 as my first choice and 18 as my second choice. In the summer I come and see my (dressing room) stall and see 18 on it. I talked to (former equipment manager) Steve-o (Castelletti) and he said they'd ordered all the stuff and couldn't switch it to 28.''

QUESTION: Is there any significance to 28?

ANSWER: "Growing up I was always 14. My whole family's always been 14. I guess 28 is twice that.''

QUESTION: Of course, senior winger Ben Grotting wears 14.

ANSWER: "Yeah, he's got it.''

QUESTION: Are you a stat guy?

ANSWER: "Not really. Probably if I was getting a lot more points I would be, but I try not to worry about that stuff.''

QUESTION: What's your most difficult class?

ANSWER: "I'd say psychology.''

QUESTION: Why?

ANSWER: "It's actually probably my most interesting class, too, but I think (because of) the terminology and stuff. I never took a psych class in high school. It's a little different. I have to take it for my major (consumer affairs). It's interesting, but it something I definitely have to work at.''

QUESTION: What's a typical weekday like for you?

ANSWER: "I've got class, usually at 8:50 (a.m.) every day, so I try to get up and have a good breakfast. Then go to class -- I usually have two or three -- nothing too bad. Then workout at 12 (noon) except for on Thursdays when we do yoga. Then after that I just relax, play a little video games, until practice. At night we just watch hockey, that's all we do.''

QUESTION: Yoga?

ANSWER: "Yeah, it's a new thing. Everyone's doing it.''

QUESTION: Everyone on the team?

ANSWER: "Just a couple guys. Not the whole team. Me, Derek (Stepan), John Mitchell, (Jake) Gardiner, (Ryan) McDonagh, Craig Smith, Cody Goloubef and Goody (Scott Gudmandson). I think that's all.''

QUESTION: It must help you guys with flexibility more than anything, right?

ANSWER: "It does work on flexibility and stuff. I think it's really good. It really loosens you up. It's pretty tough, but it loosens you up, especially on Thursdays it's good for the weekends.''

QUESTION: Fighting in college hockey?

ANSWER: "I think there should be fighting in college. I think there'd be less stickwork and probably less dirty play. I don't think there should be enforcers in college. I think if there's a skirmish and two guys want to go, that'd be good. I know the fans would love it. I think it would be good for the game, but I don't think they'll ever do it.''

QUESTION: Facemasks?

ANSWER: "There should be half-shields. It would limit the stickwork again and (players) would be more disciplined. People would be hitting with their shoulder more. It would clean up the game a little bit.'' 

QUESTION: Best money you ever spent?

ANSWER: "Recently I bought a really nice pair of head phones for $50. I think they were $100 marked down. I don't know where I found them. Somewhere on the internet.''

 

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