Troy Murray, who played 15 NHL seasons and was a longtime analyst for the Chicago Blackhawks, died Saturday following a battle with cancer at the age of 63.
A native of Alberta, Canada, Murray was selected by the Blackhawks in the third round of the 1980 NHL Draft and played his first 10 NHL seasons with the team. During the 1985-86 season, he set career highs in goals (45), assists (54), and points (99) in 80 games, winning the Selke Trophy, awarded to the forward who excels in defensive play.
Murray also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and, finally, the Colorado Avalanche, whom he helped win the Stanley Cup in 1996.
After retiring, Murray joined the Blackhawks broadcast team in 1998, serving as a studio analyst for 5 years and a color commentator for 2 seasons. He began partnering with John Wiedeman in the radio booth in 2006, and they called three Stanley Cup championship seasons together (2010, 2013, 2015).
Murray was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, though details about the type of cancer he was fighting were kept private even as he underwent chemotherapy.
“The Chicago Blackhawks are deeply heartbroken today as we mourn the loss of Troy Murray, our beloved ‘Muzz,’ and our love and support go out to his family,” Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement. “Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk, so far beyond his incredible playing career with a presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years. He was admired by his teammates and our players, and was so proud to connect generations of Blackhawks through his work with the Blackhawks Alumni Association.
“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.”
As news of his passing spread, many of Murray’s colleagues and peers shared tributes on social media.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.