The Adirondack Thunder have added an additional scoring weapon up front.
The club announced Wednesday it has acquired forward Blake Murray from the Atlanta Gladiators in exchange for forwards Ryan Francis and Alex Young.
Murray, 23, has 37 points (14-23-37) in 55 games this season with the Gladiators. He ranks second on the team in goals (14) and assists (23) and sits third in points (37).
The 2019 draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes (sixth round, 183rd overall) has 142 points (59-83-142) in 209 ECHL games with Norfolk, Florida, Allen and Atlanta.
The Uxbridge, Ontario native has played in 20 American Hockey League games with the Chicago Wolves and has seven points (2-5-7).
The 23-year-old Young has skated in 43 games with the Thunder this season, accumulating 24 points (9-15-24).
A former 7th round pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2020, Young turned pro during the 2023-24 year, posting six points (2-4-6) in seven games, while also registering a +5 rating.
Prior to turning pro last season, Young finished his fourth year of division one hockey with Arizona State University, collecting nine points (6-3-9) in 37 games played.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Young also played at Colgate University, recording 83 points (37-46-83) in 100 appearances.
Francis joins the Gladiators in his third professional season, after spending the previous two years between the AHL and ECHL with the Trois-Rivieres Lions, Laval Rocket, Ontario Reign, Greenville Swamp Rabbits, and most recently, the Adirondack Thunder.
In 30 games with Adirondack this season, the 23-year-old forward has 16 points (10-6-16).
Last season, Francis got a taste of the South Division, posting an impressive 21 points (10-11-21) in 30 games.