Jack Murtagh came into this season with high hopes and big dreams. To fuel his lofty expectations the East Greenbush native packed an extra 16 pounds of muscle onto his 6-foot-1 frame thanks to an ambitious offseason workout program.
After appearing in 53 games with the U.S. Under-17 squad, Murtagh was anxious to return for his second season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He cut short his summer vacation at home to return to Plymouth, Mich., to begin preparing for this season under the watchful eye of NTDP coaches.
Already touted as a skilled playmaker with a deft scoring touch, the added muscle should help Murtagh become even more of a dominant force in front of the net.
It didn’t take long to see the results as he scored a pair of goals in his first game of the season against the Waterloo Black Hawks. Unfortunately, he would sustain a shoulder injury the next night, which has left him to watch from the sidelines as his teammates dove into the early part of the schedule against USHL and college competition.
“It’s definitely tough watching from the stands,” Murtagh said. “It obviously stings a little bit because you always want to be out there with the boys and be a part of the team. But you can’t hang your head low. You have to hold your head high and be positive.”
A big part of staying positive is doing what he can to be ready whenever he can return to the lineup. He has been able to maintain his stamina with daily sessions on the stationary bike and gets on the ice whenever it’s available.
That positive attitude has always been a big part of Murtagh’s rise up the hockey ranks from his early days in Troy Youth Hockey followed by one season with the Clifton Park Dynamo before joining Bishop Kearney.
His two seasons at the Rochester prep school helped him grow up as it marked his first time living away from home. On the ice, he found another level to his game as he eclipsed the century mark in points in back-to-back seasons.
Despite his success in youth hockey, Murtagh found making the move to the NTDP to be a challenge, just as it is for many highly touted recruits who struggle to adjust to the rigors of playing against stronger and more mature competition. Still, Murtagh worked hard to prove that he belonged among the nation’s top prospects, determined that he wouldn’t be pushed around as he found his stride.
“Having to play against older players and adapting was definitely a struggle,” he admitted. “What I would always tell myself, ‘You made this team for a reason, so you’re going to go out there and just be yourself and be with your teammates, and good things will come.’”
And good things did come. He tallied 16 goals and 21 assists in 53 games, finishing fourth on the team in scoring.
Playing at the NTDP is about more than individual or even team stats. It’s called the Development Team for a reason. That’s why shortly after the Under-17 team missed the playoffs, players didn’t miss a beat as they were right back in the gym looking to get bigger and stronger as they prepared for a new campaign.
For Murtagh, that meant not spending as much time back home in East Greenbush as his family would have liked, but he was determined to be ready when the puck dropped this season.
“Being on the 17 team here is definitely a struggle with being smaller than everyone else and being the youngest guys in the league, it’s definitely different,” he said. “Knowing that like we have that extra year on us and all that development and skill and strength, we just feel super confident out there with what we do and how we play.”
Returning all but one player from last year’s squad, it’s been a year full of optimism for Murtagh and his teammates. Their goal, as it is for every Under-18 team, is to win the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, which is returning to Allen and Frisco, Texas in late April.
“We’re still a brotherhood and we always push together every day,” Murtagh said. “Whether it’s working out, skating or going to dinner, we always have a good time with each other. As a whole from last year to this year I think it’s only just grown bigger and stronger and more of a brotherly bond. We’re more of a family now.”
Looking ahead, Murtagh has already committed to play at Boston University next season. Being in the Terriers locker room will have a familiar look and feel as he will be joined by three other NTDP teammates in next year’s freshman class. In addition, there are currently four NTDP alumni on the Terriers roster.
“When I went on my visit, I really loved how the coaching staff treated me,” he said. “We discussed what my future would be as a Terrier, and I really fell in love with it the second I was on campus. Just knowing the names that are there already I kind of just wanted to follow that legacy.”
When it comes to being part of a legacy, Murtagh is proud to be the latest in a long line of New Yorkers making their mark in the sport. For a player who learned to skate not long after he took his first step, it’s become somewhat of a rite of passage to represent the Empire State on the big stage.
“The game is changing and young kids are so talented. I feel like they’re already better than I am. It’s just the work ethic and the effort that everyone’s been putting in,” said Murtagh, who is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
“It’s the state of New York. I mean, there’s no quit here. Everyone does a great job and obviously there’s more programs and more kids playing hockey. The love of the game is growing in New York, which I love to be a part of.”