When the Detroit Red Wings selected Joe Murphy in 1986 “Murph” was coming off of a remarkable season winning the National Championship with the Michigan State Spartans. For MSU Murph recorded 24 goals and totaled 61 points in only 35 contests.
Joe Murphy never really did make it with the Detroit Red Wings on a regular basis after being selected first overall. In 1987/88 Joe played in 50 games with the Wings scoring 10 goals and adding 9 helpers. Those 50 games would be far and away the most Murphy would appear in any single season of his Red Wings career.