The American Hockey League announced Monday that it has suspended Checkers defenseman Ryan Murphy three games for clipping.
The incident, which occurred during last Friday’s victory over Texas, will cause Murphy to miss home games against the Iowa Wild this Tuesday and Thursday and another against the Lake Erie Monsters on Saturday. He will be eligible to return for the Checkers’ final game before the holiday break, a rematch with the Monsters on Sunday afternoon that concludes the team’s four-game home stand.
The play in question caused an injury to Texas forward Devin Shore, who leads his team and all AHL rookies with 26 points in 23 games this season. According to Texas head coach Derek Laxdal via The Wrong Side of the Red Line, Shore is expected to miss four to six weeks. Murphy did not receive a penalty on the play.
This marks the first-ever suspension for Murphy, who has six points in six AHL games this season, including his third goal of the campaign against Texas that came prior to the incident. Carolina’s first-round draft choice (12th overall) in 2011, Murphy has 47 points in 56 career AHL games with Charlotte over the last three seasons. He represented the Checkers at last season’s AHL All-Star Classic.
The loss of Murphy leaves the Checkers with six healthy defensemen on the roster. Professional tryout signing Mike Cornell is available to re-enter the lineup after sitting out the last two games as a healthy extra.
