"Ryan is an effective two-way defenseman who can provide minutes and added puck movement to our back line," said Avalanche Executive Vice President / 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."
Overall, Murray has collected 124 points (15g/109a) in 395 career regular-season NHL games and has recorded three points (1g/2a) in 20 total Stanley Cup Playoff contests. He appeared in a career-high nine postseason games in 2019-20.
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.
