A television broadcast desk isn’t exactly familiar territory for graduate forward Abbey Murphy.

Yet there she was last weekend under bright studio lights during TNT’s national hockey coverage, seated alongside analysts and former Team USA hockey coach Tony Granato.

“It was incredible,” Murphy said. “I’m really not used to doing something like that on TV, getting your makeup done. But it was really a fun opportunity.”

This was just the latest stop in what has been a whirlwind month for Murphy. She’s fresh off of helping Team USA win Olympic gold in Milan and has rejoined the Gopher women’s hockey team in time for playoffs.

Along the way, she has broken Nadine Muzerall’s program goal scoring record and earned a spot as a Patty Kazmaier Award top three finalist. She’s been cemented as one of the best hockey players in the world.

Murphy can admit at times, the pace has been dizzying.

“I was losing charge of the days when I got back at first,” she said.

Her teammates and coaches have gotten to watch it all unfold up close. One day Murphy is back at Ridder Arena for practice, the next, she’s in Atlanta appearing on national television as a panelist.

“I thought it was going to be an interview and then she’s on the panel all day,” head coach Brad Frost said with a laugh. “She’s earned that.”

Murphy’s resume is already overflowing, but for all the accolades piling up around her, there’s still one accomplishment missing: a national championship.

Now back in Minnesota, with the NCAA quarterfinals this weekend, the pursuit for the national title is at the center of everything. Inside the Gophers locker room, Murphy’s growing accolades haven’t changed what she and the team want to accomplish.

“She’s the best to do it,” freshman center Bella Fanale said. “In my mind, she’s the best college hockey player. She just works so hard everyday, and I just look up to her so much.”

Fanale sees Murphy’s impact closer than almost anyone. The two are linemates which means Fanale witnesses all the sides of Murphy’s game. Fanale sees the explosive scoring, but also the relentless preparation that goes into it.

When Murphy left for the Olympics last month, it left a noticeable gap.

“When she left, she’s my linemate, so it was different,” Fanale said. “I’m really excited to play with her again.”

For younger players like Fanale, Murphy is both a teammate and a blueprint for what they hope to accomplish. They want to play and lead like her.

Her leadership has also continued to evolve after spending a month around some of the most accomplished players in the sport.

During the Olympics, Murphy shared a locker room with veterans like Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne-Schofield, two of the most decorated players in U.S. hockey history. Murphy wasn’t just paying attention to what they did on the ice, but how they carried themselves off it.

She saw how they spoke to the room, how they prepared. She also witnessed their composure and belief stay even as the gold medal game tightened and the pressure rose.

“I sit in a locker room with the best players in the world, seeing a lot of different perspectives,” Murphy said. “Personally, it’s kind of fun to just be their teammate and be able to watch what they do.”

Murphy brought those lessons with her back from Milan.

“As a leader here on a different team, I put those things into perspective and see what I can do for myself to help my teammates,” she added.

Murphy’s perspective will be key for the Gophers, but her reputation and talent do present a challenge.

Everyone knows exactly who Abbey Murphy is. That includes her opponents.

Teams track where she is every shift and defenders are quick to collapse in on her. Entire game plans are built around limiting her space.

When the Gophers struggled in their 4-0 conference semifinals loss to Ohio State University, Murphy was one of the primary players the Buckeyes focused on shutting down.

It’s a reality she has learned to expect, and luckily the national tournament gives the team an opportunity to bounce back.

“It’s kind of like a second chance, you know? Thank God for those,” Murphy said. “Obviously, a tough loss of things with Ohio. Personally, I gotta be better for this team.”

Yet, the responsibility can’t fall on Murphy alone. Her teammates know they need to step up as well.

“She’s our top scorer, but she needs us,” Fanale said. “We got her back and she’s got ours.”

That’s exactly what it’ll take to advance in the national tournament. When the Gophers are at their best, they are deeper than one player. The attention that Murphy draws opens up space for everyone else. Turning that into offense will be critical in the games ahead.

It starts Saturday with a quarterfinal matchup against No. 5 Northeastern University. If they win, the Gophers advance to the Frozen Four. If they lose, their season ends immediately.

To Murphy, the formula for success this weekend is simple.

“I think our best thing is just to come out fast as s—-,” she said. “Just terrorize them, make them struggle.”

That message has been clear all week. It stems from playing heavy on the forecheck and backcheck. They need to play fast, physical and true to the identity that has gotten them this far.

It’s especially important because this tournament is more than another playoff run for Murphy. It’s the final weeks of her college hockey career.

It’s a moment to play for everything that Gopher hockey has given her over the last five years.

“I just want to do it for my teammates. They mean everything to me,” Murphy said. “These experiences here at the U, everything it’s given me and my family is pretty special.”

There’s only one ending left that feels right.

“I kind of want to go out with a bang.”