Defenseman Jake Murray Signs PTO with Rockford IceHogs; Owen Flores Reassigned

The Rockford IceHogs announced Thursday that they have signed defenseman Jake Murray to a professional tryout (PTO), a move that comes after Murray compiled 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) and a team-leading +9 in 46 games for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits this season. The IceHogs’ roster update, published Feb. 26, was paired with a separate transaction reassigning goaltender Owen Flores to the Indy Fuel.

Greenville’s release described Murray in size and usage terms: “The 6’3”, 216-pound blue-liner has played all but three games as a Swamp Rabbit this season, earning two goals and a dozen assists for 14 points in 46 games, while also leading the Swamp Rabbits with a +9 rating.” The Swamp Rabbits noted Murray’s move to Rockford on social media as well, posting: “Today's @swamprabbitmoving Transaction features Jake Murray, who heads back to the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs! more.”

Murray’s PTO to Rockford expands on a season that already included AHL time. The IceHogs’ announcement states: “Murray has appeared in 46 games with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL this season. The 23-year-old has tallied 14 points (2G, 12A) in his first season with Greenville. The Ontario native appeared in 19 games with the Texas Stars in the 2023-24 season and one game with the Abbotsford Canucks earlier this season.” Greenville’s release adds that Murray “logged one appearance on November 11th” with Abbotsford when that club was the defending Calder Cup champion.

Across his pro career, Greenville’s materials list Murray with nine goals and 58 points in 166 games between AHL and ECHL stops, and his junior résumé in the Ontario Hockey League includes 257 games and 100 points (14 goals, 86 assists). The Swamp Rabbits also highlight Murray’s leadership background: he served as an alternate captain for three OHL seasons - two with the Kingston Frontenacs and one with the Guelph Storm.

The IceHogs paired Murray’s signing with a goaltending reassignment. “Flores returns to the Indy Fuel posting a 2-1-1 record and a .916 save percentage in four games with Rockford,” the club said, adding that the Chicago native is 9-6-4 through 19 games with Indy Fuel in his first professional season. Rockford, the primary developmental affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, will host the Hershey Bears Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the BMO Center for a $2 beer night; tickets are available through the club’s ticket office and website.

Greenville, the ECHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings and AHL Ontario Reign, began a franchise-record 11-game road trip on Feb. 27 at the Reading Royals; puck drop for the opener was slated for 7:00 p.m. EST at Santander Arena. Neither release specified whether Murray would be added immediately to Rockford’s active game roster, leaving the timetable for his first IceHogs appearance unclear.