Abbey Murphy could have left the University of Minnesota last spring with a degree and a job waiting for her in the PWHL. Instead, she’s back with the Gophers chasing an elusive national title as a graduate student.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 30: Abbey Murphy of Team United States attends the Team USA Welcome Experience on January 30, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC)

There were a lot of reasons for her decision, Murphy said during an interview with the Pioneer Press in January, the most important of which was the fact that she is happy — likes her teammates and coaches, likes being a student.

“You’re only in college once,” she said. “I was lucky enough to have another year of eligibility; I was lucky to be able to make that decision.”

Recent changes in NCAA rules help, as well — Murphy has deals with athletic clothing business UNRL and vitamins and supplements company Metabolic Elite, according to her Instagram account — and, she said, there isn’t a better place than the UMN to get ready for the Olympics.

“Training staff and facilities at the U are incredible,” Murphy said. “I don’t think there’s anything out there that comes close. College is just a very unique position now, all this stuff they’re allowing us to have. I feel really good here, especially with the training and coaching staff.”

United States’ Abbey Murphy, right, checks Finland’s Julia Schalin during a preliminary round match of women’s ice hockey between the United States and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Through preliminary play, Murphy, 23, had a goal and five assists heading into Monday’s semifinal matchup between Group A winner Team USA (5-0) and Group B winner Sweden (5-0), which features Gophers blue liner Josefin Bouveng. The winner of Monday’s games will advance to the gold medal game on Thursday; the loser will play for bronze, something the U.S. hasn’t done since 2006 in Turin, Italy.

Three of Murphy’s assists came in the Americans’ 5-0 rout of defending champion Canada, and the U.S. went 4-0-0 in the annual rivalry series with Canada last fall after beating the Canadians in the IIHF world championship.

“I think our team is hot right now,” Murphy said before leaving for Italy. “And that’s a fun way to look at it.”

Murphy has been a Team USA staple as far back as her U18 days in Evergreen Park, Ill., and has won her share of gold medals, including IIHF championships in 2023 and 2025. In Murphy’s previous Olympics, 2002 in Beijing, the U.S. came home with silver after losing to Canada in the final.

Gophers forward Ella Huber, left, celebrates with teammates after a goal by Abbey Murphy (center) in Minnesota’s 3-2 NCAA regional victory over Colgate on March 15, 2025, at Ridder Arena (Brad Rempel / Gophers Athletics)

“I’ve learned a lot of things from playing in the Olympics and in college,” Murphy said. “I’m faster and stronger, things like that. My brain’s faster; I’m thinking the game on a higher level, and it’s fun. I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win and be productive.”

In 26 games with the Gophers this season, Murphy has 36 goals and 61 points and has tied Ohio State coach Nadine Muzzeral for the program goals record with 139.

Murphy, 23, is one of four Gophers in Italy — Bouveng, Nelli Laitinen (Finland) and Tereza Plosová (Czechia) are the others — and it hasn’t been easy for the U. In four games without them, the third-ranked Gophers are 1-3 with a lone victory over top-ranked Wisconsin.

“There is certainly a presence about Murph, right?” coach Brad Frost said after the Gophers’ split with Wisconsin. “There’s a confidence and a swagger; she has earned that because she has proven that she can do the things that she does.”

Murphy is joined by former teammates Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle on the U.S. roster. It’s Zumwinkle’s second Games, and Heise’s first. Both Heise and Zumwinkle are playing for the Frost in the PWHL, and Heise was the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner as the best college player in 2022.

But neither won a national title, something the Gophers haven’t managed since 2016. Murphy has one more chance when she and her teammates return from Italy for the stretch run.

“I’ve always wanted to win one. It’s always in the back of my mind,” she said. “But if we don’t in the end, I won’t regret it. I’ll be gone for a month, it’s a little bit weird, but I trust they’ll get the job done and we’re gonna come back to set it up for the (WCHA) playoffs. I’m really for it.”

In the meantime, it’s gold on Murphy’s mind. Her experience with this particular team — which includes Olympic veterans such as Lee Stecklein, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Kelly Pannek — has been unparalleled, she said.

“We have a coach (John Wroblewski) we trust. Every little thing he does is for a reason, and this team was put together for a reason,” Murphy said before leaving for Italy. “It’s our job to put our heads down and work. It’s been an absolute blast, a heck of a ride.

“We’ve been here for a common goal, and that was to get ready for the three training camps and the rivalry series. We had a job to do, and these Games have been incredible. You play with whoever and adapt. These are the best players in the world. It’s quite incredible. We’re really confident in where we stand, and we’re not really satisfied at all.”

ON A ROLL

The U.S. women have outscored their Olympic opponents 26-1 so far. Here is how they won Group A and earned a spot in Monday’s semifinal against Sweden:

United States 5, Czechia 1

United States 5, Finland 0

United States 5, Switzerland 0

United States 5, Canada 0

United States 6, Italy 0

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