Dallas Stars Re-Sign Matt Murray

The Dallas Stars have secured goaltender Matt Murray on a one-year, two-way contract for the 2023-24 campaign, the team announced today. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Not to be confused with the Stanley Cup-winning netminder of the same name, the younger 25-year-old Murray made three appearances for the Dallas Stars in 2022-23. During his call-ups, Murray posted a record of 1-2-0 with a 3.39 goals-against average and a .844 save percentage.

Murray’s NHL debut came this season as well, successfully stopping 19 out of 21 shots in a March 2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. His debut win on the road made him the first rookie goaltender for the Stars to achieve such a feat since Mike Smith in the 2006-06 campaign.

An undrafted free agent signing last summer out of the University of Massachusetts, Murray recorded an 18-10-5 record and three shutouts in 34 games for the AHL’s Texas Stars this year in his first full professional campaign. His 2.37 goals-against average ranked first among AHL rookie netminders, and he ranked second with a .911 save percentage and shared fourth place with 18 victories. During the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Alberta-born goalie tallied a 5-3-0 record in eight appearances, with a solid 2.79 GAA and .909 SV%.

With Scott Wedgewood still under contract to backup starter Jake Oettinger, Murray is likely again destined for a starting role in Texas for the 2023-24 campaign. While Wedgewood is a capable backup, he’s entering his 30s and could end up going elsewhere on the free agent market in 2024. Murray could very well take over the backup role in Dallas at that time.

Murray joins 21-year-old Remi Poirier as goalies under NHL contract with Dallas destined for the minors next season.