Feb. 25, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks announced Friday that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray to a four-year contract extension which runs through the 2015-16 season. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
"Bob has positioned us well for the future," said Ducks Chief Executive Officer Michael Schulman. "He has added youth to our current lineup, with several exciting prospects still on the horizon. He deserves the stability this contract extension brings."
Murray has spent 36 consecutive years in the NHL, the last three as Executive VP and General Manager of the Ducks. Murray joined Anaheim as Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations on July 14, 2005 and has had a vital role in the success of the club, which includes a Stanley Cup (2007), Pacific Division title (2007), and playoff berths in four of the last five seasons. With Anaheim and a previous stint in Vancouver, Murray's teams have qualified for the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons dating to 2000-01.
"I couldn't be happier to be working for the Samuelis and Mike Schulman," said Murray. "I'm honored to receive this extension and will continue working toward our primary goal - bringing another Stanley Cup to Orange County."
Since assuming his current role, Murray has made several moves to bolster the roster. On the free-agent front, Murray signed defenseman Toni Lydman to a three-year contract last summer. Since joining the Ducks, Lydman is tied for the league lead in plus/minus and ranks fifth in blocked shots. Murray has also acquired key pieces to the blue line via trade over the last two seasons, including Lubomir Visnovsky from Edmonton and Francois Beauchemin from Toronto. Visnovsky ranks third among NHL defensemen in points and tied for second in assists while Beauchemin is fourth among league leaders in blocked shots this season. In the 2010 NHL draft, the Ducks selected Cam Fowler and Emerson Etem with the 12th and 29th overall selections. The lone defenseman from the 2010 draft currently playing in the NHL, Fowler is a Calder Trophy candidate, tied for first among rookie defensemen in goals, assists, and points.
Murray's previous responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of player development while serving as General Manager of Anaheim's AHL affiliate in Iowa in 2008-09. Prior to the club's affiliation with Iowa, Murray was the General Manager of the Portland Pirates from 2005-06 through 2007-08. The Pirates went to the Conference Finals twice (2006 & 2008), appearing in six playoff rounds.
Prior to joining the Ducks, Murray worked as a Professional Scout with the Vancouver Canucks from 1999 to 2005 under then-General Manager Brian Burke (1998-2004). Before his stint in Vancouver, he served as a Scouting Consultant for Anaheim during the 1998-99 season.
Murray was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks organization for 25 years, serving as General Manager from 1997-99. He was named the sixth General Manager in team history on July 3, 1997 after serving as Assistant General Manager under Bob Pulford for two seasons. Before joining upper-management, Murray was named the Director of Player Personnel in 1991 and was largely responsible for the club's NHL Entry Draft selections over eight seasons.
Drafted by the Blackhawks in 1974, Murray spent his entire 1,008-game, 15-year career in a Chicago uniform. He was named to both the 1981 and 1983 NHL All-Star Games. Murray retired at the conclusion of the 1989-90 season and remained with the organization as a Professional Scout.
