OTTAWA, Ontario — It was truly a public celebration of life for Bryan Murray Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Approximately 3,000 people were treated to stories remembering Murray, who died Aug. 12 at age 74 following a three-year battle with colon cancer. They spanned his lengthy career in hockey, how he never forgot his roots, putting Shawville, Quebec, on the map, and most of all that he was a great husband, father, grandfather and uncle.
NHL dignitaries, commissioner Gary Bettman, vice president Bill Daly, Mike Babcock, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Lou Lamoriello and Luc Robitaille were in attendance, as were current and former Senators coaches (Paul MacLean, Jacques Martin), employees, management and players.
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Murray’s niece, Lynn Hearty-Coutts, spoke eloquently of her uncle using hockey as a “vessel.”
“His greatest achievements didn’t involve a stick or a puck, but instead it was time,” Hearty-Coutts said. “Words of encouragement, a handshake, a smile, a laugh, you see, it was all about the people. His true joy came from lifting others. He was selfless, always interested in what was going on in your life.”
Hearty-Coutts articulated how Murray could be tough, but fair in a witty manner.
“He could tell you to go to hell and you’d enjoy the trip," she said.
Bettman detailed Murray’s many accomplishments: coaching the Capitals to the playoffs for the first time in club history; as general manager of the Panthers, guiding the team to the Cup Final in only their third season. Murray was responsible for building a Ducks roster that defeated his Senators in the 2007 Final.
Bettman noted the league will miss Murray.
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"Bryan was a fierce competitor, but from a league perspective, he was always the consummate professional,” the commissioner said. “His voice at many GM meetings was knowledgeable, insightful, and most of all respected by his colleagues."
Retired Senators defenseman Chris Phillips talked of Murray’s lighter side. Phillips spent 13 years alongside Murray as a player and team ambassador.
“He kept you guessing, whether he was joking or not,” Phillips said. “When he first came to Ottawa, our first team meeting was filled with expectations and laughter. Towards the end of the meeting, Murray said if anyone is caught with an illegal stick, he’d fire the equipment manager. We all laughed.”
But Phillips went on to say Murray’s point was well-taken. The players checked their sticks.
#Sens Alumni Chris Phillips reflects on his time with Bryan Murray over the years at the Celebration of Life. pic.twitter.com/JE2LsupgsX
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) August 24, 2017
Senators GM Pierre Dorion, who succeeded Murray following his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2016, spoke of the influence that had Murray had on his career.
“Bryan Murray is someone who touched so many lives, so many for the better," Dorion told Sporting News Canada. "I think that the organization was a better one with Bryan in it. His loss is monumental for the hockey club.
“Bryan had a calmness to him. He had a way of approaching things that we all learned from. And because of that, I’m a way better man. I’m a better GM from Bryan sharing his experiences, how to handle certain situations."
Dorion was impressed by the outpouring of affection from the Ottawa community.
“Bryan was able to resonate with people. It was the way he talked to people. Even you didn’t know him, you felt you knew him well. That was one of his greatest qualities.”
#Sens GM Pierre Dorion and Assistant GM Randy Lee share some stories of their mentor and friend Bryan Murray. pic.twitter.com/vN7m0sQPe4
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) August 24, 2017
Senators assistant GM Randy Lee mentioned how he and Dorion leaned on Murray for support.
“Pierre and I talked about it today. That’s a huge void for us,” Lee told Sporting News Canada. Murray was the duo’s buffer.
“A sober second thought, he kept everyone calm," he said. "What do we have to deal with? He helped us with a good game plan and that was huge for us. He had so much experience we could draw upon in every situation."
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock will be forever grateful to Murray. In his first season as Ducks GM, Murray promoted Babcock from AHL Cincinnati to lead the NHL team, giving a start to what's on track to become a Hall of Fame coaching career.
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“Bryan is a great hockey man, family man," Babcock told Sporting News Canada. "... Bryan called me when I was coaching in the AHL and told me to come up to (Anaheim) and be impressive. You can’t help but smile when you think of him. He was a good person, could talk to people and wasn’t scared to tell them the truth. He did it in many ways, but he cared about people by using sarcasm. I love sarcasm.
“One other thing about Bryan, he spoke of Shawville as if it’s the greatest place on Earth. I’ve never been to Shawville, but I’ve heard everything about it.”
Murray’s mark in the hockey world will remain substantial. A Hall of Fame induction is waiting. And his refusal to let cancer beat him and enjoy his love of family and hockey will leave a lasting impression for years to come.