Tig Murphy grew up in Ireland during the beginning of their rise into an international superpower. However, neither of his parents were familiar with the sport, and he did not pick it up until he was a pre-teen. Instead, he was focused on youth rugby. It wasn't until a school field trip to watch the Irish national hockey team that he decided to try it out. From the moment he hit the ice, he knew it was where he was meant to be. His rugby experience had made him tolerant of physical play with good lateral mobility, so defense was a natural fit for him. Over time, his skating and puck skills developed and he became a top talent for the younger Irish regional and international teams before leaving for Canada to play in an academy setting to develop further. It was from this academy that he would be drafted by the Detroit Falcons and launch his career into the mediocre plug he's become