Larry Murphy (ice hockey)

Larry Murphy
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2004
Murphy in 2010
Born	(1961-03-08) March 8, 1961 (age 63) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Right
Played for	Los Angeles Kings Washington Capitals Minnesota North Stars Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings
National team	Canada
NHL draft	4th overall, 1980 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	1980–2001

Lawrence Thomas Murphy (born March 8, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played over 20 years in the National Hockey League, suiting up for the Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings.

He won two back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, the first of two being with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992; and then with Detroit in 1997 and 1998. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

He currently serves as a studio analyst and fill-in color commentator during away games for the Red Wings on Bally Sports Detroit.

Playing career

As a youth, Murphy played in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Shopsy's minor ice hockey team. ^[1]

After a stellar junior career with the Peterborough Petes and representing Canada at the 1980 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Murphy was drafted 4th overall in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. In the 1980–81 NHL season, he set National Hockey League records for most assists and points by a rookie defenceman, with 60 and 76 respectively. He was eventually traded to the Washington Capitals for defenceman Brian Engblom and winger Ken Houston early in the 1983–84 season, which did not work out in the Kings' favor long-term because of Murphy's prolonged success in the league.

In his 21-season career (1980–2001), Murphy would eventually play for six different NHL teams. In addition to the Kings and Capitals, he also suited up for the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings.

In 1995, after being named an NHL second-team All-Star, in the off-season, Murphy was traded to his hometown Leafs from the Penguins for Dmitri Mironov and a second round pick. Leafs fans booed Murphy, the highest paid player on the Leafs, mercilessly as a scapegoat for the lack of success the team was having. He was traded to Detroit for future considerations, and was an integral part of their two consecutive Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998. In the 1997–98 NHL Playoffs, he tied Paul Coffey's record for most shorthanded goals scored by a defenceman in the playoffs with 2.

When Murphy retired after the 2000–01 NHL season, his 1615 regular season games played stood as a record for the most career games by a defenceman; a mark previously held by Tim Horton. In 2003–04, Scott Stevens of the New Jersey Devils surpassed this mark, finishing the season with 1635 games played. ^[2]

He was on four Stanley Cup winning teams during the decade of the 1990s, the only NHL player to accomplish this feat. He was a part of the only 2 NHL teams to win back-to-back titles during the decade, the Penguins in 1991 and 1992 and the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.

In addition to his NHL championships, Murphy also won a Memorial Cup with the Peterborough Petes in 1979. The Petes also reached the championship game the following year, but lost in overtime.

In 1987, Murphy was a key member of Canada's championship team in the Canada Cup. His six assists tied teammate Ray Bourque for tops in the tournament among defencemen, which included Mario Lemieux's overtime goal in game 2 of the Final against the Soviet Union. He then scored a goal and two assists in the decisive third game, and was also used as a decoy by Wayne Gretzky on Lemieux's tournament winner.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. Finishing his career with 1216 points, Murphy is currently the fifth highest scoring defenceman in NHL history, behind Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, Al MacInnis and Phil Housley. ^[3]

One of Murphy's most notable successes was the "Murphy Dump". During his stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Murphy would often dump the puck down the ice by lifting it high over the opposing team so that it eventually stopped before the opposing goal line. This would not only clear the zone safely, but would not result in an icing call. The "Murphy Dump" was officially coined by Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange. ^[4]

Broadcasting

He was an alternate color commentator for the Detroit Red Wings during West Coast road trips on Fox Sports Detroit, filling-in for Mickey Redmond. From 2003 to 2006, he shared this duty with former teammate Pat Verbeek. However, following the 2005–06 NHL season, Verbeek left the job as broadcaster to become a scout for the Red Wings, and Murphy took over full-time on west coast road trips. In addition in 2006, Murphy started contributing as a studio analyst on pregame, postgame, and intermissions in which he does not broadcast. In the 2007–08 season, Murphy began serving as a "Between-the-Benches" reporter for Fox Sports Detroit when Mickey Redmond was broadcasting home games and fill-in for him when he had surgery to remove a tumor on his lung. ^[5] He also made occasional appearances on the NHL Network's nightly hockey highlight show, NHL on the Fly . In March 2013, Fox Sports Detroit announced that he was fired after being told they weren't satisfied with ratings. ^{[6] [7]} On February 14, 2019, it was announced Murphy returned to the team on Fox Sports Detroit in the same capacity for the rest of the 2018–19 season, joining Chris Osgood. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}

Awards and achievements

• Member of four Stanley Cup winning teams: 1991 and 1992 (Pittsburgh), 1997, 1998 (Detroit)
• Selected to three NHL All-Star Games: 1994, 1996, 1999
• Selected to three NHL second All-Star teams: 1987, 1993, 1995
• Inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (2004)
• 3ICE Eddie Johnston Coach of the Year Award: 2023

NHL records

• Most Points by a Rookie Defenceman in a Single Season (76) 1980–81
• Most Assists by a Rookie Defenceman in a Single Season (60) 1980–81

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1977–78	Seneca Nationals	MetJHL		36	10	20	30	25		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Peterborough Petes	OMJHL		66	6	21	27	82		19	1	9	10	42
1978–79	Peterborough Petes	MC		—	—	—	—	—		5	0	2	2	8
1979–80	Peterborough Petes	OMJHL		68	21	68	89	88		14	4	13	17	20
1979–80	Peterborough Petes	MC		—	—	—	—	—		5	1	6	7	4
1980–81	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		80	16	60	76	79		4	3	0	3	2
1981–82	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		79	22	44	66	95		10	2	8	10	12
1982–83	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		77	14	48	62	81		—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		6	0	3	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	Washington Capitals	NHL		72	13	33	46	50		8	0	3	3	6
1984–85	Washington Capitals	NHL		79	14	42	56	51		5	2	3	5	0
1985–86	Washington Capitals	NHL		78	21	44	65	50		9	1	5	6	6
1986–87	Washington Capitals	NHL		80	23	58	81	39		7	2	2	4	6
1987–88	Washington Capitals	NHL		79	8	53	61	72		13	4	4	8	33
1988–89	Washington Capitals	NHL		65	7	29	36	70		—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		13	4	6	10	12		5	0	2	2	8
1989–90	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		77	10	58	68	44		7	1	2	3	31
1990–91	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		31	4	11	15	38		—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		44	5	23	28	30		23	5	18	23	44
1991–92	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		77	21	56	77	48		21	6	10	16	19
1992–93	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		83	22	63	85	73		12	2	11	13	10
1993–94	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		84	17	56	73	44		6	0	5	5	0
1994–95	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		48	13	25	38	18		12	2	13	15	0
1995–96	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		82	12	49	61	34		6	0	2	2	4
1996–97	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		69	7	32	39	20		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		12	2	4	6	0		20	2	9	11	8
1997–98	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		82	11	41	52	37		22	3	12	15	2
1998–99	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		80	10	42	52	42		10	0	2	2	8
1999–2000	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		81	10	30	40	45		9	2	3	5	2
2000–01	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		57	2	19	21	12		6	0	1	1	0
NHL totals				1,615	288	929	1,217	1,084		215	37	115	152	201

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1980	Canada	WJC		5	1	0	1	4
1985	Canada	WC		8	2	6	8	4
1987	Canada	WC		6	0	3	3	4
1987	Canada	CC		8	1	6	7	4
1991	Canada	CC		8	0	1	1	0
2000	Canada	WC		3	0	0	0	0
Junior totals				5	1	0	1	4
Senior totals				33	3	16	19	12

See also

• List of NHL statistical leaders
• List of NHL players with 1000 points
• List of NHL players with 1000 games played

References

1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
2. Wharnsby, Tim (November 9, 2004). "Three of the greatest defencemen". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 12, 2018. Only Scott Stevens of the New Jersey Devils has played more games as a defenceman, 1,635, than Murphy's 1,615.
3. Murphy at Legends of Hockey/HHOF.
4. Masisak, Corey (April 19, 2013). "8 Debate: Selanne ranks as all-time greatest No. 8". NHL.com. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
5. Malik, George (February 28, 2008). "Mickey Redmond says he's doing well, though he'll have to endure chemotherapy". mlive. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
6. Lepore, Steve (March 23, 2013). "FS Detroit fires Larry Murphy, citing 'ratings'". SBNation.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
7. Jr, Dave Bartkowiak (March 23, 2013). "Report: Fox Sports Detroit fires Red Wings analyst Larry Murphy". WDIV. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
8. "Hall of Famer Larry Murphy returns to FOX Sports Detroit". Fox Sports Detroit. February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
9. Khan, Ansar (September 9, 2013). "Former Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood joins Fox Sports Detroit as game and studio analyst". Michigan Live . Retrieved September 6, 2023.
10. Khan, Ansar (February 14, 2019). "Larry Murphy returns to FSD as Red Wings analyst". Michigan Live . Retrieved September 6, 2023.
11. Crawford, Kirkland. "Detroit Red Wings great Larry Murphy rehired by Fox Sports Detroit". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved September 6, 2023.
12. Jr, Dave Bartkowiak (February 14, 2019). "Larry Murphy returns to Red Wings broadcast team, replaces Darren Eliot". WDIV. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  Legends of Hockey , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Preceded by Jay Wells	Los Angeles Kings first round draft pick 1980	Succeeded by Jim Fox