There will be a familiar face coming back to Brahma Land this fall. That face belongs to none other than #55 Ray Murakami. Ray will be entering his third year with the Brahmas when the 2023-2024 season gets underway. Although he already possesses a D1 commitment to Niagara University, Ray feels there is unfinished business in North Richland Hills. That piece of unfinished business is a Robertson Cup Championship. That is the only thing on Murakami’s mind as he enters his final year of Junior Hockey.
Although Murakami’s first season with the Brahmas (21-22 season) saw him miss significant time with a lower body injury, he was able to finish with 15 points and an impressive +11 rating. He played in all 9 games of the 2022 South Division playoff games before the Ice Wolves ripped the hearts out of Ray and his Brahmas teammates.
Last season Ray found early chemistry with defense partner Jakub Karpa as the two worked together to form arguably the best defensive tandem in the entire league. Ray finished the season with 24 points and a +3 rating. Ray’s steady skating and ability to eat minutes were crucial in the post season as the Brahmas and Mudbugs gave engaged in the longest five game series in NAHL history. Unfortunately for Ray and the Brahmas, victory was not on their side as the Mudbugs took the Brahmas in game five before being ousted from the playoffs by the eventual champion, Oklahoma Warriors.
Ray is the first Japanese born defenseman in the history of the Brahmas organization, and a fan favorite. Brahmas VP Chad Siewert said this when asked his thoughts on Murakami returning for his last year of Junior Hockey, “To have a leader like Ray coming back for his third year with us is unbelievable. We play a very defensive minded style of hockey, and having Ray return is so huge. He is not only a leader on the ice, but off the ice as well. He embodies what it means to be a Brahma.”
Murakami is working out daily at rink nearest his home in Japan.
Ray is spending the summer at home in Japan with his family. When asked what he is looking forward to most about returning to America he said, Playing in front of the fans at NYTEX and getting to see my billet family, the Walters.”
The Walters family (photographed whas served countless Brahmas players via their role as a Brahmas Billet family. Players like Ray need a home-away-from-home during the season and thusly, Billet families are the backbone of the sport of hockey at the junior levels. If you are interested in joining the Brahmas organization and open your home to a Brahma, Coach Wildfong would ask that you reach out to Brahmas Billet Coordinator Lori Roditi directly for more information about this critical role in Brahma Land.
Murakami & his billet family, Mr & Mrs Fred Walters, familiar and beloved faces in Brahma Land
Interested to know more about billeting?
Become a Billet! Click here for more information!
Look for #55 on the ice this season leading the Brahmas in their quest for the cup. Preseason NAHL Hockey returns to NYTEX during Labor Day weekend, the regular season home opener is Friday September 29th with a series against the aforementioned Shreveport Mudbugs. 2023-24 season tickets and single-game tickets are available now!
Ray was recognized by Brahmas Hockey as the Defenseman of the Year 2022-23
Don’t miss the return of professional hockey to NYTEX when the Allen Americans host the Tulsa Oilers for an ECHL PreSeason showdwon in the Main Arena on Friday, October 13th. Tickets for the Americans-v-Oilers game are available via PreKindle. Tap the graphic below to purchase those tickets
Tap this graphic for PreKindle tickets link!