Troy Murray is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on July 31, 1962, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Murray was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 1982-83 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable two-way center and was a key player for the Blackhawks for several seasons.
In the 1985-86 season, Murray had a breakout year, scoring 45 goals and 99 points in 80 games. He was named to the NHL All-Star Game and won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward. Murray's strong play helped lead the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they advanced to the second round before being eliminated.
Murray continued to be a consistent performer for the Blackhawks over the next few seasons, but the team struggled to make deep playoff runs. In 1991, he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Bryan Marchment and a draft pick.
Murray played two seasons with the Jets before being traded to the Ottawa Senators in 1993. He played one season with the Senators before being traded back to the Blackhawks in 1994. Murray played one final season with the Blackhawks before retiring from the NHL in 1996.
Over the course of his NHL career, Murray played in 915 games, scoring 222 goals and 354 assists for 576 points. He was known for his strong defensive play and was a key penalty killer for the Blackhawks. Murray was also a respected leader in the locker room and served as the team's captain for several seasons.
After retiring from playing, Murray worked as a color commentator for Blackhawks radio broadcasts and also served as an assistant coach for the team. He was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Brandon Wheat Kings Hall of Fame in 2005.
Overall, Troy Murray had a successful NHL career and was a key player for the Chicago Blackhawks during his time with the team. His strong two-way play and leadership helped make him a fan favorite and a respected player throughout the league.
🏒