It’s Official …

My new hockey gear

My Mite A Travel Hockey season is under way!  The team held it’s first official practice last night at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale. I was excited to see all of my teammates in the locker room. Everyone was so pumped up. I was really excited to run drills with my new line, we work really good together!

I tried out my new hockey gear. I wasn’t sure if the new CCM Vector 04 breezers (hockey pants) would change my skating, but they were great. I love my new Bauer Vapor XVI Gloves. I just need to get the Coyote Decals for my CCM Vector V10 Black helmet and I am ready to go. Our practice jersey’s are awesome, just like the pros wear!

We have our first tournament in two weeks, Labor Day weekend in Peoria. I will be playing against some of my friends on the Phoenix Polar Bears. That should be a fun match up.

I am looking forward to my first game as a Jr. Coyote!!

Another Big Moment for Murph

I had a Great Day today!

Since the Florida Panthers practice at the same rink as my former Jr. Panthers team, I use to see  Olli Jokinen a lot last year. Olli is definitely one of my favorite players.

Today my Mom and I got to welcome Olli to Phoenix! I got to see Olli as a Phoenix COYOTE! It was such a great moment. He is so awesome!!

I waited in line for 3 hours at Jobing.com Arena, during a “Fans Open House”. I was one of 2,513 fans waiting to see Peter Mueller, Shane Doan and Olli Jokinen. I got their autographs and had my picture taken with them. I had Olli sign a puck that he gave me during a Panther practice at Incredible Ice last year.

I also got to meet Darren Pang, he is part of the Coyotes broadcasting staff and former NHL player (Chicago Blackhawks) while I was standing in line. He interviewed my mom and I … it was so cool having the BIG camera on us!

I can’t wait for the puck to drop and see Olli hit the ice!

Saints Game August 2008

Saints Game August 2008

We played the Rampage again!! This time … we had a full roster, and it made all the difference. Our goalie was amazing in this game, they only got two past him. When we scored first, I thought for sure we would win this one. We ended up losing 2-1 (I got the assist), but at no point did we ever give up. Even with 40 seconds left in the game, and I hit the ice, I thought for sure we could have at least tied the game … no such luck!

We may be facing them again in the championship game in a few weeks and I feel we may actually be able to take them. That would be the best game of the season!

I can’t believe this season is almost over, I had such a blast on the Saints team and have made a lot of new friends. Most of all, I will miss my Coach … he is really good and I love going to his practices. Mrs. Coach (I made up the name) is really cool, she always screams for us!

Go Saints! Win the Championship!

Hockey Player for Life ~ Book

I found this awesome video on YouTube and showed it to my mom.  http://www.youtube.com/user/howard222.

“Hockey Player for Life” by Howard Shapiro is an 88 page paperback book that is due out in early August 2008.  I just preordered my copy at www.Amazon.com and I am looking forward to reading it in August.  Be sure to watch the video!

Thank You Muze Clothing!

Thank You Muze Clothing!

My team the Mite A Jr. Coyotes is looking for sponsors for the 2008-09 hockey season. I emailed a few local companies in Scottsdale, AZ. One of the companies was Muze Clothing; take a look at their website … www.muzeclothing.com.  Many celebs wear their brand name, including my HERO Jeremy Roenick.

The founder of Muze, Bill Deacon Jr. wanted to contribute, so he sent us a case of Phoenix Coyotes Decade in the Desert hockey pucks that JR had given to him. My Coach will be thankful when I show up with these in August!!

A BIG thank you to Muze Clothing for supporting the Mite A Jr. Coyotes! Wear Muze!! Go Jr. Coyotes!! Murph will be wearing #27!!

We are still looking for sponsors, please email me if you are able to help and I will forward you the forms or view attached pdf: pastedgraphic-1 pastedgraphic

Murph meets Howler

Murph meets Howler 

 

I went to a birthday party today for my friend Tristan, he is the Goalie for our Jr. Coyotes team.  As a surprise for the guests … the Phoenix Coyotes Mascot Howler stopped by.

It was so much fun because a lot of my hockey friends were there. They had some hockey targets set up, and a Howler Cake it was a great time!

Howler ROCKS!

Hey mom … can Howler come to my birthday party?

Polar Ice Gilbert Location Opening Soon

I was very excited to hear the news that the Polar Ice - Gilbert Rink will be opening August 29, 2008.  I will be there when the doors open!  It will be great to have a rink so close to where I live.  I hope that this location will also have power skating and hockey camps, it would be nice not to have to travel far for additional instruction.  The Gilbert Rink is currently in the process of fielding Travel B Teams for the Arizona Heat, click the link for details:  http://www.azheathockey.com/.

People are shocked when I tell them I am from Arizona and play ice hockey.  With the many rinks we have in the state … hockey in the desert should not be kept a secret!

Arizona Republic Article:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2008/07/19/20080719gr-icerink0719.html

Grandmom & Murph

Grandmom & Murph

I dedicate this post to my Grandmom, she passed away last week. My grandmom was really proud of me on and off the ice. She loved to hear my hockey stories and I would call her when I scored a goal and tell her it was for her. I am so happy that she got to see me play.

She understood my passion for the game and would listen to me for hours on the phone while I explained how to take a slap shot, or about a great game my team had, we even talked about NHL games that we watched. I will miss talking to her, but I know she will always be with me on the ice.

I scored the first goal during my Squirt game last night and I dedicated it to you Grandmom.

Cold Gear Under Armour

My Armour

Since I started playing hockey, I have worn Under Armour Cold Gear under my hockey equipment. The long pants (leggings) and shirts retain heat while on the ice and the fabric keeps the moisture off me. Practice or games, I always wear Armour!

The shirts come in so many colors that I started wearing them daily. I even wear Under Armour when taking my shots to keep me cool and protect my arms from direct sun. I also have a few short sleeve Armour shirts and shorts in my collection.  They are really comfortable!

You can find Under Armour at most of the sporting goods stores, Under Armour has a store at the mall or you can shop online.

Saints vs Rampage ~ A painful loss!

Rampage Sandwich

Being on a summer league … means occasionally team members go on vacation; our goalie and six players were missing from the lineup last night. That was painful! One of our players volunteered to play goalie (his first time in net) and we had enough players show up that we didn’t have to forfeit the game.

Forfeiting would have been the easy way out here; playing the best team in the league with awesome players, including an awesome goalie! The Saints gave it all they had and held them 11-0.

I had a few opportunities to make it toward their goal; but the photo shows that I was quickly stopped (or sandwiched)! I think I was able to get four shots off, that their goalie saved. Our goalie really stepped up and showed them he was capable; I think they had 40 shots on goal to our six.

I think we are better for playing the Rampage and loosing then just handing them the win. I know I slept really well last night, it was quite a workout!