VIDEO: One-on-one with American defenseman, NHL prospect Connor Murphy

Connor Murphy had his season shortened due to injury, but he had a strong showing internationally.

When Connor Murphy took a spill during an early-season practice, he instantly knew something was wrong. The pain was immediate and familiar. Murphy missed most of the previous season with the same aliment so he wasn’t surprised when he was told he had a stress fracture of a vertebrae in his lower back.

And while the injury did not require surgery, it did keep the Ohio-born blueliner out of action until February of this year. But since his return, Murphy has impressed. At the World Under-18 Championship he had two goals in the gold medal game, including the overtime-winner.

The son of former NHLer Gord Murphy, Connor dreamed of getting the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps and he will get one step closer to that goal this June.

THN’s Ryan Kennedy caught up with the American defender as he prepared for the NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota.

REPORTER: Ryan Kennedy | PRODUCER: Ted Cooper