Colorado Avalanche sign 2012 2nd overall NHL Draft selection Ryan Murray

The Colorado Avalanche fell short of their goal of the Stanley Cup last season despite a tremendous record in the shortened 2020-21 NHL campaign and an easy four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

The squad that hits the ice in the Mile High City next season will look a little bit different, and one notable addition that the team has just announced is a former 2nd overall draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012.

According to multiple reports and later confirmed by the team's social media account, the Avalanche have brought aboard defenseman Ryan Murray, who agreed to a one-year contract worth a reported $2 million:

"Ryan is an effective two-way defenseman who can provide minutes and added puck movement to our back line," said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Joe Sakic. "We like the experience he brings to our locker room, and we're excited to see him fit in with our group."

After spending the first several years of his NHL career with Columbus, Murray was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round draft pick. In the shortened 2020–21 season, Murray registered 14 assists through 48 regular season games with the rebuilding Devils.

Per NHL.com: 

"The 6-foot-1, 206-pound defenseman set career highs in points (29), assists (28) and plus/minus (+20) in 2018-19 and played in a career-best 82 games during the 2015-16 season.

Prior to turning pro, Murray skated in 191 career Western Hockey League games with Everett Silvertips, recording 121 points (22g/99a) and a +51 rating from 2009-2012 and earning a spot on the WHL (West) Second All-Star Team in 2010-11 and 2011-12. He served as team captain in his final two seasons and led all Everett defensemen in goals (9), assists (22) and points (31) during the 2011-12 campaign.

The Regina, Saskatchewan, native helped Canada win gold at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, recording five points (0g/5a) and a +6 rating in 10 contests. He was part of Canada's bronze medal-winning team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he registered three points (0g/3a) and a +6 rating in six contests, and also represented his country at the World Championship that year, becoming the second-youngest player to ever represent Hockey Canada at the IIHF World Championship (Paul Kariya in 1993). Murray captained Team Canada at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championship, ranking second on the team in points (10). He appeared in three games for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016."