Former Chicago Blackhawks player and broadcaster Troy Murray has died, the franchise announced. He was 63.
Murray died after a yearslong battle with cancer, which he first announced he was diagnosed with in 2021.
“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,” the organization said in a news release. “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. He jumped at every call to support our local community with our Foundation. He never missed a chance to say ‘hello’ in our press box and always knew the perfect time for a joke just when someone around the office needed it most. And he absolutely loved bringing Blackhawks hockey to you, our fans, night after night with a dedication to his craft that never wavered to the very end.
“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, Muzz.”
Murray played 15 seasons in the NHL from 1981-96, including his first 12 seasons with the Blackhawks. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound center won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1986, an honor that is awarded annually to the NHL’s best defensive forward. He recorded 488 points – 197 goals, 291 assists – in 688 games for the Blackhawks.
After 12 seasons in Chicago, Murray was traded to the Winnipeg Jets, where he served as team captain for two seasons in 1991-92 and 1992-93.
Midway through the 1993 season, however, Murray was traded from Winnipeg back to Chicago, where he played one more year. He was again traded from Chicago to the Ottawa Senators in 1994 and played parts of two seasons there.
Murray split his final season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche, including winning the 1996 Stanley Cup with the Avs.
Following his playing career, Murray transitioned to broadcasting and served as the radio color analyst for the Blackhawks on WGN for more than two decades. He also served as president of the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association, where he helped oversee a scholarship program for high school hockey players in Illinois.
Prior to the Blackhawks’ road game on Sunday, the host Dallas Stars honored the late Murray with a bouquet of flowers and a handwritten card in the Stars press box next to a headset.