Connor Murphy Bio
Connor Murphy is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as a defenseman and alternate captain for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He was selected 20th overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft by the Phoenix Coyotes and has been a steady presence on the blue line for more than a decade. He is the son of former NHL defenseman Gord Murphy.
Early Life and Background
Connor Murphy was born on March 26, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts, while his father Gord Murphy was a member of the Boston Bruins. He grew up in the suburbs of Miami and Atlanta before his family settled in Dublin, Ohio, when his father joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant coach. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 212 pounds, Murphy developed the frame that would later suit the physical demands of NHL defense.
Raised in a hockey household, Murphy was surrounded by the sport from an early age. He played in the 2006 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets minor ice hockey team, gaining early exposure to competitive play. He also passed through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program of the United States Hockey League (USHL), a common path for top American prospects. He has a brother named Tyler and a sister named Lexi, and the family remained closely tied to professional hockey throughout his upbringing.
Path to Hockey
Murphy transitioned to major junior hockey with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of the premier development leagues feeding the NHL. Prior to joining the Sting, he had committed to Miami University, but ultimately chose the OHL route to accelerate his professional development. His play in Sarnia and with USA Hockey’s national program established him as a top defenseman prospect heading into his draft year.
His strong amateur résumé led to his selection 20th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2011 NHL entry draft. That same year, he represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he scored three goals and added one assist in six games. He capped the tournament by scoring the overtime goal against Sweden in the gold medal game, announcing himself as a clutch performer on the international stage.
Connor Murphy Career
Early Career (2013-2016)
Murphy made his NHL debut on November 16, 2013, with the Phoenix Coyotes, and he scored his first NHL goal in that debut game against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Anders Lindbäck. He spent the next several seasons developing into a reliable two-way defenseman in the Coyotes organization, learning the pace and structure of the professional game.
On July 28, 2016, Murphy signed a six-year, $23.1 million contract extension with the Coyotes, reflecting the organization’s belief in his long-term potential. His steady progression over those early seasons set the stage for a major trade the following summer.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2017-2026)
After his fourth season with the Coyotes, Murphy was traded along with Laurent Dauphin to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Niklas Hjalmarsson on June 23, 2017. His first season under head coach Joel Quenneville was uneven, as he sat as a healthy scratch early on before being asked to play on his left side. Despite the adjustment, he finished 2017-18 with two goals and 12 assists through 76 games, the lowest point total since his 2014-15 campaign.
Murphy faced further adversity the next season when a back injury forced him to miss the first three months of 2018-19. He returned on December 7 and was paired with rookie Carl Dahlström in a shutdown role, earning praise from the coaching staff for his physical play and puck battles. By 2019-20, Murphy had set a new career high with 19 points through 58 games before the NHL paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2020 pandemic return-to-play format, Murphy helped the Blackhawks upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round before the team was eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights. On January 24, 2021, he tallied his 99th and 100th career NHL points in a 6-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. On August 31, 2021, he signed a four-year, $17.6 million contract extension and was named an alternate captain for the 2021-22 season. He missed the end of that year after suffering a concussion in March 2022, but was again nominated by the Blackhawks for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership on and off the ice.
Driving Style and Strengths
Murphy is known as a dependable, right-shot defenseman who thrives in shutdown roles against opposing top lines. His size, mobility, and willingness to block shots make him a strong penalty-killing option, while his willingness to play on his off side shows his team-first approach. He has built strong partnerships with several Blackhawks defensemen, including Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Carl Dahlström, and Olli Määttä, adapting his game to fit different partners.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Murphy’s signature moments are his overtime winner for the United States at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships and his first NHL goal on debut in 2013. He also reached the 100-point NHL milestone in January 2021 and was twice nominated by the Blackhawks for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. On March 2, 2026, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2028 NHL entry draft, where he later scored his first career playoff goal during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Connor Murphy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Connor Murphy comes from a deep hockey background. His father, Gord Murphy, played as an NHL defenseman for the Boston Bruins and other teams, and later served as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The family moved several times during Connor’s youth, following Gord’s career across Boston, Miami, Atlanta, and finally Dublin, Ohio.
Personal Life
Murphy grew up alongside his brother Tyler and his sister Lexi, with the household closely connected to the hockey world. Public details about his personal relationships remain limited beyond his family ties. He has been active in community efforts through the Blackhawks organization, contributing to leadership and charitable work that earned him King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominations.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025-26 NHL season, Murphy continued his role as a veteran defenseman and alternate captain for the Chicago Blackhawks, providing stability on the back end. His steady defensive play and leadership remained central to the team’s locker room as younger defensemen developed around him.
On March 2, 2026, Murphy was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2028 NHL entry draft, joining a contending roster for the stretch run. With the Oilers, he scored his first career playoff goal during Game 2 of the first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Looking ahead, Murphy is expected to contribute defensive depth and penalty-killing strength as the Oilers pursue a deep postseason run.
