Senators sign GM Murray to contact extension
The Ottawa Senators signed general manager Bryan Murray to a one-year contract extension Friday, providing additional stability to the front office.
Murray joined the Senators in June 2004 and spent three years as the team's head coach before becoming general manager in 2007. He was appointed executive vice president of Senators Sports & Entertainment last July.
``Bryan has proven that he is the right man to lead this team,'' Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a release. ``Our team is now in a position to not only be competitive each season, but also to contend for the Stanley Cup.''
Melnyk said the performance of the NHL team, which was 35-22-4 and had won 13 of its last 14 games entering Friday night, was only part of the reason for the extension. He also cited Murray's success in building the club's farm system.
``As we approach the trade deadline, playoffs and entry draft, we wanted to demonstrate our confidence in Bryan,'' Melnyk said.
The Senators, currently third in the Eastern Conference, are 113-88-23 during Murray's tenure as general manager.
``My goal from the time I was appointed to this position was to continue the proud and winning history of this organization,'' Murray said. ``I feel that we have moved this franchise into a strong position where we can challenge for the Stanley Cup each season.''
