Gord Murphy is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on March 23, 1967, in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.
Murphy began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes in 1984. He played for the Petes for three seasons and was known for his physical play and offensive skills. In his final season with the Petes, he scored 26 goals and 70 points in 63 games.
In 1986, Murphy was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Flyers in the 1988-89 season and played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the Flyers, Murphy established himself as a reliable defenseman and was known for his strong defensive play and physicality.
In 1992, Murphy was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Florida Panthers for five seasons, from 1993 to 1998. During his time with the Panthers, Murphy was a key player on the team's defense and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.
After leaving the Panthers, Murphy played for the Atlanta Thrashers for two seasons, from 1998 to 2000. He then played for the Boston Bruins again for one season before finishing his NHL career with the Washington Capitals in the 2001-02 season.
Throughout his NHL career, Murphy played in 862 games and scored 85 goals and 238 assists for a total of 323 points. He was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills, and was a valuable player on every team he played for.
After retiring from playing, Murphy began his coaching career. He served as an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2002 to 2004, and then for the Florida Panthers from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, he was named the head coach of the Panthers' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
Murphy has also served as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, the Florida Panthers (for a second time), and the Arizona Coyotes. He is currently an assistant coach for the Montreal Canadiens.
In addition to his coaching career, Murphy has also been involved in youth hockey development. He has worked as a coach and instructor at various hockey camps and clinics, and has helped to develop young players at all levels of the game.
Overall, Gord Murphy had a successful career as a professional hockey player and has continued to make a significant impact on the sport as a coach and mentor.
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