Mike Murphy is a former professional ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) as both a player and a coach. He was born on October 17, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Murphy began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) with the Toronto Marlboros. He played for the Marlboros from 1967 to 1970 and helped the team win the Memorial Cup in 1969. In 1970, he was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the NHL Amateur Draft.
Murphy made his NHL debut with the Blues in the 1970-71 season and played for the team until 1973. He then played for the Vancouver Canucks from 1973 to 1976 before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He played for the Kings from 1976 to 1982 and was named the team's captain in 1979.
During his NHL career, Murphy was known for his defensive skills and his ability to play both forward and defense. He was also a tough player who was not afraid to drop the gloves when necessary. In total, he played in 779 NHL games and scored 122 goals and 238 assists for 360 points.
After retiring as a player, Murphy became a coach. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Kings in 1982 and was promoted to head coach in 1987. He coached the Kings until 1989 and then became an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Murphy had a successful coaching career with the Maple Leafs, helping the team reach the playoffs in each of his four seasons as an assistant coach. He was then hired as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings in 1993 and led the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach.
In 1996, Murphy was hired as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He coached the team for two seasons before being fired in 1998. He then became an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals and later the Los Angeles Kings.
Overall, Mike Murphy had a successful career in the NHL as both a player and a coach. He was known for his defensive skills and his toughness on the ice. As a coach, he helped several teams reach the playoffs and was respected by his players and peers.
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