“Ryan is still a young player at 23, and has shown he can contribute offensively from the blue line,” said Francis. “He has developed through our system and we look forward to seeing his game continue to grow.”

Murphy, 23, split the 2015-16 season between the Hurricanes and the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. The Aurora, Ont., native earned 10 assists in 35 games with the Hurricanes, and scored seven goals and earned 17 assists (24 points) in 32 games with the Checkers. Murphy (5’11”, 185 lbs.) has totaled 35 points (6g, 29a) in 124 career NHL regular season games with the Hurricanes since making his debut in 2012-13, and has earned 63 points (10g, 53a) in 82 career AHL games with the Checkers. Carolina drafted Murphy in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.