The Phoenix Coyotes used their first-round pick (20th overall) in Friday's 2011 NHL Entry Draft to take defenseman Connor Murphy of the U.S. U-18 Developmental team.
Murphy, 18, is 6-3 and 185 pounds. He's an Ohio resident who is committed to playing college hockey at Miami (Ohio).
Murphy's size will obviously help the Coyotes down the line, but he's widely viewed as a prospect who will need a couple of years to develop before he is NHL-ready.
Murphy's father Gord played 14 years in the NHL with Philadelphia, Boston, Florida and Atlanta, and is currently an assistant coach with the Panthers.
Murphy was part of the U.S. U-18 team that won the World Championships earlier this year.