Luke Strand and Evan Murr had never met when Strand took over as the Minnesota State men’s hockey coach in April.
However, Strand had observed Murr from afar, something that surprised him when they first spoke.
“Although he was a stranger to me, he made it clear that I wasn’t a stranger to him. He’s in the rinks all the time watching junior hockey,” said Murr, a Stillwater native. “He just kind of reiterated parts of my game — what my strengths are, what my weaknesses are. I had a feeling that he already knew who I was as a player. …
“He did a great job, it was really comforting. It was a time of pure panic for a lot of things.”
While many of the 10 players who had signed national letters of intent with MSU at the time of the coaching change ended up pursuing other opportunities, Murr, who is now a freshman, bucked the trend.
After several conversations with Strand, it became clear the fit was right for both sides. The Mavericks were in need of defensemen after several key departures from last season, and Murr wanted a chance to grab a big role early.
“We lost three defensemen playing over 20 minutes a night,” Murr said. “That was something where I kind of saw an opportunity to work hard and earn what was up on the table. Obviously, everyone who stayed here felt the same way.”
Strand spoke with all of the players who had signed with the previous coaching staff soon after getting the job. Those conversations went a lot of different ways, but there seemed to be an instant connection with Murr.
“I thought there was a sureness (of) why he wanted to be here,” Strand said. “Obviously there’s a familiarity and a proximity to Mankato from his hometown.”
The arrangement has worked out perfectly through eight games.
Murr delivered a great effort in MSU’s exhibition game Nebraska-Omaha last month and hasn’t let up. He’s already on MSU’s top defensive pairing and is tied for second on the team with six points (1-5—6). Strand has given him significant time on both the penalty kill and power play.
The highlight of his season came Saturday against Ferris State, when Murr scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 overtime victory.
Murr is a gifted skater, but his best trait may be his poise with the puck, which was on full display on that goal.
With a lot of open ice in 3-on-3 overtime, Murr was in his element. He smoothly stickhandled around the player who was marking him at the point, pulling the puck to his backhand and using a power turn to work his way into the slot. He fired home the game-winner with 6.3 seconds remaining.
Murr said he loves having the puck on his stick, but acknowledged that he needs to be careful about picking his spots.
“If you ask some of the coaches, I’m sure it kind of freaks them out sometimes,” Murr said with a laugh. “I definitely feel like that’s something I’ve always had.”
Added Strand: “I’ll take the wild horse. The wild horse just has to understand the time, the score and the temperature of the game. He’s going to grow into all those scenarios. Right now, he still flirts with danger on a regular basis, but you can’t take that away from someone.”
Strand smiled when asked about Murr’s ceiling.
“I don’t think you see him here for four years,” he said. “With just continued growth, he’s going to be ready to go on new adventures here in his hockey career.”
The Mavericks (4-3-1, 2-0-0 in CCHA) host Bemidji State for a CCHA series Friday (7:07 p.m.) and Saturday (6:07 p.m.) at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Both games can be heard on KTOE AM-1420, and will be broadcast on The Circle 7-3.
Follow Kevin Dudley on Twitter @Dudley7Kevin.