Troy Murray, a beloved part of the Blackhawks organization and community for more than four decades, first as a player and later broadcaster, died Saturday. He was 63.
Murray had battled cancer since 2021 and had stepped away from Hawks radio broadcasts on WGN this season as his health worsened.
“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,” Hawks chairman 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.
“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.”
Murray, a Calgary native, spent parts of 12 seasons as a Hawks player from 1982 to 1994, highlighted by a spectacular 1985-86 season in which he erupted for 99 points in 80 games and also received the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward.
He briefly served as captain of the Jets in 1992 and won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996. He did some of everything as a player, both offensively and defensively, between the whistles and after them.
He retired in 1997 and joined the Hawks’ broadcasting team a year later, spending the last 27 years in a number of roles both on TV and the radio, but primarily as WGN Radio’s color analyst alongside play-by-play man John Wiedeman.
Murray’s voice brought to life for listeners many of the highest highs in recent franchise history, and his remarkable storytelling skills brought laughter along with that life in many instances.
Tributes poured in Saturday from all corners of the hockey world, with colleagues and friends remembering Murray’s unique ability to be fiercely competitive, gentle and silly at the same time.
Heartbreaking to hear the news today on the passing of @muzz19. Always had so much respect for Troy as a former @NHLBlackhawks and even better person. RIP my friend.
— Patrick Kane (@88PKane) March 7, 2026
The Hawks don’t have many players and coaches left who overlapped with Murray for very long, but defenseman Alex Vlasic at least spent a couple years with him and said he was “absolutely devastated” to hear the news. He recalled meeting Murray for the first time at a Hawks alumni golf outing.
“He came right up to me and introduced himself,” Vlasic said. “He was just so good at making people feel comfortable and welcome, and giving you a couple chirps here and there. He felt like one of the guys in the locker room.”
Murray never shared specifics about his diagnosis, even when it was clear — despite his best efforts to hide it — he was in pain. He hated to dampen any mood or invite any pity.
Instead, he radiated warmth, joy and a lighthearted spirit. That applied to all people he encountered, too, regardless of whether he had known them for ages or just met them, or whether they were part of the Hawks organization or not.
He treated fans and non-fans the same way he did his closest friends. It was impossible to not feel at ease after 10 seconds in his company.
“He was someone that was always trying to do stuff for other people,” Connor Bedard said. “[It’s a] sad day.”
Note: Spencer Knight will miss a second consecutive game due to illness Sunday against the Stars, leaving Arvid Soderblom and just-recalled Drew Commesso as the Hawks’ available goalies. The team also called up rookie forward Nick Lardis on Saturday for his second NHL stint.
