A Dream Come True for Undrafted Stars Goalie

Matt Murray unexpectedly stole the show Monday night with a 4-0 shutout of the Minnesota Wild in his first start for the Dallas Stars this season.

After Scott Wedgewood started 10 games in a row for the Stars, the team turned to Matt Murray in the midst of a three game losing streak and a highly important stretch of six divisional games in a row.

Murray delivered beyond any expectations, posting a shutout and frustrating the Wild early on en route to what would become an easy win with 10 minutes left in the third period. He had an .844% save percentage in his limited NHL action, and his start was more out of necessity than anything.

Little did Murray know that he would be the main story after the game.

Murray attended The University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he played five seasons (one ended early by Covid-19). He ended his career as a Minuteman with a 2.19 goals-against average and a save percentage of .916%. 

He helped the Minutemen win a National Championship and holds the school record for wins with 73 and shutouts with 14.

Murray then signed an amateur try out with the Texas Stars in the 2021-22 season. He earned his first professional win in his first start, and in his fourth professional start with the Texas Stars, he recorded his first shutout against the Iowa Wild.

In July of 2022, he signed a two-year deal with the Texas Stars. In March 2023, he was called up to the NHL for the first time to back up Jake Oettinger while Wedgewood dealt with a back injury. He went 1-2-0 in his three starts.

Nearly a year later, he found himself back in the NHL, this time backing up Scott Wedgewood. And almost like it was written in a movie script, he got his first NHL shutout in his fourth start, once again against the Wild. 

He stopped 23 of 23 shots and was picked as the third star of the game. Postgame, Murray reflected on it being a dream come true.

With Oettinger nearing a return to action, Murray could be sent back down to the Texas Stars soon, but he'll be taking with him a memory that will last a lifetime.

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