Connor Murphy is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League.
Born on March 26, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts, he stands 6’4″ and weighs 212 pounds, known for his steady defensive play, physical presence, and reliability on the blue line.
Murphy was selected 20th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has built a solid career as a shutdown defenseman over more than a decade in the league.
Siblings
Connor has an older brother named Tyler and a younger sister named Lexi.
The siblings grew up in a nomadic environment due to their father’s career, spending time in the suburbs of Miami, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, before the family settled in Dublin, Ohio, when Gord served as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tyler shared in the family’s hockey passion, playing at various levels including AAA with the Blue Jackets organization, and has since become a high school hockey coach.
Lexi pursued a career in nursing, graduating from nursing school, and the entire family remains close, often reuniting for holidays, graduations, and games.
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Career
Murphy’s junior hockey journey began with strong performances in the United States Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League, most notably with the Sarnia Sting, where he developed into a top prospect and served as an alternate captain.
He made his NHL debut with the Coyotes during the 2013-14 season and gradually earned a regular role on the blue line.
After several seasons in Arizona, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017, where he spent nearly nine years as a dependable defensive presence, often paired in shutdown situations and contributing leadership as an alternate captain.
Throughout his career, Murphy has been valued for his size, shot-blocking ability, and consistency rather than flashy offense, playing in over 800 NHL games.
He signed a multi-year contract extension with Chicago before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in March 2026 for a future draft pick, adding veteran depth and defensive stability to the Oilers’ lineup as they compete in the Western Conference.
Accolades
At the junior level, Murphy won gold at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championship, scoring the overtime winner in the gold-medal game against Sweden, and captured gold again at the 2013 World Junior Championship.
On the senior international stage, he earned bronze medals at the IIHF World Championship in 2015 and 2018, served as an alternate captain in 2014-15 and 2017-18, and captained the U.S. team in 2016-17.
He was also recognized as one of Team USA’s top three players in 2015-16 while leading defensemen in goals that tournament.
In the NHL, Murphy has not won individual major awards but has established himself as a reliable veteran through longevity and defensive reliability, reaching milestones such as his 800th game in early 2026.
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