What makes Abbey Murphy one of the most exciting players in women's hockey - ESPN

Abbey Murphy started off 2026 with a pop — and she knew exactly what she was doing.

In an early January showdown between Murphy's No. 3 ranked Minnesota and No. 12 Minnesota State, the senior captain carried the puck through the neutral zone late in the first period and then decided to dazzle.

«Most people would never even think about doing that,» Minnesota coach Brad Frost said. «Or have the courage to try.»

Murphy flipped the puck into the air and knocked it down between a defender's legs. It was a move she saw on social media a few weeks back from Michigan State forward Ryker Lee, a Nashville Predators prospect. Lee and Murphy are summer training buddies in Chicago.

Lee pulled off the move and managed to get a shot off, which was saved by the goalie. When Murphy regained control of the puck, she dished it to freshman Bella Fanale for the easy tap-in.

Murphy's highlight assist went viral. ESPN's John Buccigross called it «the greatest assist of all time.»

It's called the greatest assist of all time. Abbey Murphy. 28 goals and 50 points leads the nation. <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/cawlidgehawkey?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#cawlidgehawkey