When the news broke on Saturday afternoon, I really couldn’t believe it.
We all knew the reality of Bryan Murray’s situation. The diagnosis he received back in 2014 made it clear that his time was limited. But his ability to make the best of that difficult situation and his continued presence around the team made it easy to forget that this day was coming.
It felt like he had always been there. And in some ways, I think I had convinced myself he always would be.
One of the things that jumped out at me in the reaction over the weekend was how often fans expressed the sentiment that even though they never met Bryan personally, they felt like they knew him. Like he was a member of their own family.
And it’s so true. As fans, we immerse ourselves in everything related to our team and for the last decade, Bryan Murray was such a huge part of that experience.
Even if you didn’t know Bryan personally, the reaction from people he worked with and from both current and former players shows you exactly the type of person he was.
Hockey is a business and we are reminded of that fact often. But what Bryan Murray always seemed to understand is that even though it’s a business, hockey is about people. It’s about relationships. And the outpouring of condolences and support over the weekend shows that Murray built many of those over the years.
Last year, Bryan Murray became the first inductee into the newly established Ring of Honour. It was an emotional night and a fitting tribute for a man that had done so much for the organization and for the city.
It was also a chance for the organization to say thanks to one of its most influential figures.
Whether it was behind the bench, in front of a microphone or agonizing over every goal for and against up in the press box, in many ways, Bryan Murray had become the face of this organization over the last ten years.
As Head Coach, he was one of their best. Guiding the team to their own Stanley Cup Final appearance and posting an incredible.643 win percentage. And as their General Manager, he put together the key pieces of a team that came within a goal of a return to the Finals last season.
While he had officially turned over the reigns to Pierre Dorion, he still had an obvious presence around the team. Even looking at the current roster, his impact is clear and it will be for years to come.
The next time you see Craig Anderson make an incredible stop or Kyle Turris go high glove on an unsuspecting goalie or the next time you watch a breathtaking end to end rush by Erik Karlsson, think of Bryan Murray.
His legacy with this team is about more than his hockey resume though.
In good times and in bad, he was there. We shared in his successes and felt his failures. He was a calming presence during even the most difficult times and he always carried himself in a way that made you proud to have him as part of our team. His courage and strength in the face of his diagnosis was a true inspiration and his willingness to share his story will save lives.
Honestly, it’s sort of hard to imagine the Ottawa Senators without Bryan Murray.
The hockey community lost a great man over the weekend but his legacy will live on around the hockey world and especially here in Ottawa.
Thanks Bryan.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Canadian Tire Centre on August 24th at 1 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the Murray family is asking that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Shawville Recreation Association, DEBRA Canada (in honour of Jonathan Pitre), Jardins Educatif du Pontiac or to a charity of a donor’s choice.
