Abbey Murphy:
As tough as it gets
By Parisa Shobbar | Ice Warriors Photography by Braulio Rocha
Ice Warriors Magazine - Issue 1
Currently finishing up her NCAA hockey career at the University of Minnesota, Abbey Murphy is hockey’s next rising star. Her tenacity is her most notable attribute and showcased through every shift, proving that she simply does not quit.
Murphy is said to be one of the top-ten prospects for the 2025 PWHL Draft. With a strong on-ice presence and excellent playmaking abilities, Murphy is exactly what teams look for when building a successful roster.
A Team USA veteran, having represented her country at 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, capturing a silver medal, Murphy is also one of two players in history to have scored in three consecutive gold medal games at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, joining Kendall Coyne Schofield.
“Ever since I started playing hockey I always wanted to be initiated with USA Hockey,” she shared. “The experiences and memories I have there, I remember them all the time.”
With Murphy having that level of experience under her belt, she is educated to the highest level of hockey one could play and is aware of the ins and outs that come with performing on the world stage. The pressure of playing for your country is nerve-racking for most, but Murphy was able to come out successful, boasting traits of a poised and disciplined athlete many look up to.
“My mom was an athlete, my dad was a marine, and I had two older brothers who grew up playing sports. It’s fun being tough, I thank my family a lot for that.”
Without question, Murphy knows what it means to fight for her team and demonstrates her hard work on the ice as she battles for the puck through every shift. She has a striking presence on the ice and knows how to get under the skin of the opposition. Her dynamic skillset is one of her most intriguing factors and shapes her as the individual she is in her day-to-day life and bright hockey career.
A resilient person both on and off the ice, and one of hockey toughest female players around, Murphy gives credit to the ones who have been the pillars of her success.
“I think it stems from my family; I think that’s the whole start of it,” she explained. “My mom was an athlete, my dad was a marine, and I had two older brothers who grew up playing sports. It’s fun being tough, I thank my family a lot for that.”
Growing up with two brothers who continuously challenged her, it is evident Murphy learned to possess a strong backbone coming up against them, playing into the competitive edge she has had ever since she was young.
A dynamic athlete, Murphy never limited herself to just hockey; she participated in as many as she could, stating “Basketball was my second favourite sport, I was told I was too short,” but “hockey is my number one love.”
Whatever hardships may have arisen throughout her early playing career, Murphy was able to overcome them, proving why she is the tough cookie that will become a quick fan favourite as soon as her name is called by a PWHL club in 2025.
When asked what her vision is for her future and what she expects to be the next chapter of her hockey career after she completes her NCAA journey, Murphy made it clear she wants pursue and compete at the professional level.
“I have dreams of playing in the professional women’s league, still got a couple years of college left so honestly, still taking those years in. I love being with Team USA, love to see where that takes me.”
Murphy’s confidence and determination is another perfect example of the type of female leader the hockey community is always looking for.
