EVERETT – Everett Silvertips defenseman Ryan Murray officially became part of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization Tuesday, signing a three-year entry level contract with the club that selected him second overall in last month’s NHL Entry Draft.  The highest draft pick in Silvertips history became the tenth of this year’s first-round selections to sign a deal with his new NHL club.

Murray attended Blue Jackets development camp earlier this month, joining a number of fellow prospects for his first organized team activity.  With his first pro contract signed, Everett’s 18-year-old captain can now play for Columbus in the NHL or be returned to the Silvertips’ for a fourth WHL campaign in 2012-13.  

The Jackets have had a busy week after making a splash around the league Monday, acquiring three players and a first-round draft pick in a trade that sent star winger Rick Nash to the New York Rangers.

Murray has totaled 104 points (20g/84a) in 168 career games with the Silvertips and holds the franchise record for career plus/minus rating (+51).  He was named the youngest Captain in team history at 17 during the 2010-11 season, a role he continued to occupy throughout last year.  

The White City, Saskatchewan native has won Silvertips MVP honors and been named to the WHL’s Western Conference All-Star Second Team in each of the past two seasons and was also named last year’s Western Conference Most Sportsmanlike Player.  He represented Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championships and Men’s World Championship tournaments.