Abbey Murphy Walks A Fine Line, Balancing Skill And Her Trademark Edge

Abbey Murphy of the University of Minnesota and Team USA is a mix of high end skill, edgy physicality that sometimes crosses the line. How she balances those traits will become the measure of her women's hockey career success.

Abbey Murphy is one of the best players on the planet. She's also a player that often crosses the line. It's a balancing act that Murphy is still learning to handle. In the NCAA this season, she finished tied for third in the nation in points trailing only Casey O'Brien and Kirsten Simms with 62 points in 39 games for the University of Minnesota women's hockey team.

Her penalty minutes total of 118 in that span however, was monumentally higher than any other player. Among the top 50 scorers in the nation, only two other players had more than 40 penalty minutes, with Tessa Janecke being the next highest at 50 minutes.

Her point total was the highest in NCAA history for any player hitting the 100 penalty minute plateau.

Whether it's her often dirty play, her goal celebrations, or role as a pest, Murphy can throw opponents off their game, but in the box, she can also hurt her own team. It's a balancing act she'll need to grasp to remain the impactful player she's been with Team USA, and avoid finding herself on the outside looking in in the future.