Troy Murray, one of the best two-way centers in Chicago Blackhawks history who went on to a long and decorated broadcasting career with the team, died Saturday morning at age 63, the team announced.
Nicknamed “Muzz,” Murray revealed in August 2021 he had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy treatments. He did not specify the type of cancer he had. Murray continued working on Hawks broadcasts, though at a diminished workload, before stepping away entirely this season.
Hawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said the organization was “deeply heartbroken.”
“Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk so far beyond his incredible playing career, with his presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years,” Wirtz said in a statement. “During his long and hard battle with cancer, it was often said that Troy didn’t have any ‘give up’ in him. While our front office simply won’t be the same without him, we will carry that spirit forward every day in his honor. We’ll miss you, Troy.”
The Hawks drafted Murray in the third round (No. 57) of the 1980 NHL draft after an illustrious college career at the University of North Dakota. The center broke in with the Hawks by playing one game as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season.
Known as one of the Hawks’ most respected leaders, he played 12 of his 15 NHL seasons in Chicago. Murray topped 20 goals in five consecutive seasons (1984-85 to 1988-89), including a career-best 45 goals and 99 points in 1985-86, when he won the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward, the first player in franchise history to earn the award.
“Troy really was a five-tool player,” Ed Olczyk, Murray’s teammate on the Hawks for three seasons, said Saturday on the “Steve Rosenbloom Show” on WSCR-AM. “He could skate, he could score, he could hit, he was outstanding defensively and he was sneaky tough when it came to hockey. He was just a great Chicago Blackhawk both on and off the ice.”
Murray, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, and grew up in St. Albert, Alberta, compiled 488 points (197 goals, 291 assists) in 688 games in two stints with the Hawks. He finished his career with 584 points (230 goals, 354 assists) in 915 games, also playing for the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. He won the 1996 Stanley Cup with the Avs in his final season.
After spending the following season with the Chicago Wolves, Murray stayed in the city to begin his broadcasting career in 1998, serving mainly as the Hawks radio analyst alongside partner John Wiedeman for 27 years. The duo earned honors as the best sports play-by-play team from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
One of Murray’s prominent calls was the team’s Game 6 Stanley Cup win over the Philadelphia Flyers in June 2010, when he was one of the few people who realized Patrick Kane’s game-winning goal in overtime went into the net, ending the Hawks’ 47-year championship drought.
“Heartbreaking to hear the news today on the passing of @muzz19,” Kane posted on X. “Always had so much respect for Troy as a former @NHLBlackhawks and even better person. RIP my friend.”
Building upon the connections he made in the Hawks locker room, Murray became the president of the Hawks alumni association, providing for the Chicago community while helping other players in post-career endeavors.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
Blackhawks fans and players applaud while radio analyst Troy Murray, who revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer, walks on the ice with 15-year-old Devin Pittges, who is in remission from osteosarcoma, to drop the puck before a game against the Sharks on Nov. 28, 2021, at the United Center. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
“His willingness to welcome people and put people at ease, with the career that he had as a player and as a broadcaster, he could have easily been ‘standoffish’, (but) he wasn’t that guy at all,” Hall of Fame Hawks broadcaster Pat Foley said. “He appreciated what he had done (and) couldn’t wait to make somebody’s day better. That’s who he was, which is why people were drawn to him and why it’s such a tough loss.”
Murray will be remembered for his love and respect for everyone around him, including current Hawks. Coach Jeff Blashill said after practice Saturday that Murray made a “huge impact on the Blackhawks organization.”
“He was someone that was always trying to do stuff for other people, helping new people, he means so much to the (organization),” Hawks center Connor Bedard said at Blackhawks Ice Center.
Added defenseman Alex Vlasic: “He was such a good guy to all the young guys in here. I feel like he made everyone feel welcome and meant so much to this organization, to the fans, (and to) so many generations that he impacted. Absolutely devastated to hear the news.”
At North Dakota, Murray earned WCHA rookie of the year honors as a freshman in 1981, and the following year helped the school win its fourth NCAA championship. In 1982, he also was captain of Canada’s world junior championships gold-medal-winning team.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Associated Press contributed.