Projo Sports Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Rob Murray, an assistant coach with the Providence Bruins for the last five years, has been named P-Bruins' head coach. He replaces Scott Gordon, who last week was named head coach of the New York Islanders.

"Rob's passion coupled with the knowledge that he has gained from the past five years with Providence makes him a good fit for us," said Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli. "We believe strongly in cultivating talent within the Bruins family, and Rob is a good example of someone who deserved a promotion given his commitment to the organization."

After retiring from a playing career that spanned 16 years, Murray was named assistant coach of the Providence Bruins on August 22, 2003, and helped lead the P-Bruins to a 221-141-20-27 record (W-L-T-OT/SOL), including an AHL-best regular season record of 55-18-3 last season.

Since joining the organization in 2003, he has worked closely with Boston's coaching staff during Bruins preseason training camps and for the past two summers at the Bruins Development Camp.

Murray retired ranking sixth in American Hockey League history with 1,018 games played and also ranks second in AHL annals with 2,940 penalty minutes. He played the majority of his career in Springfield, where he is the Falcons' career leader in games played (501), penalty minutes (1,529), and assists (157), and ranks second in points (218) and fourth in goals (61). He had his number 23 retired by Springfield on February 10, 2007, becoming just the second player in team history to have their number raised to the rafters (former Boston Bruins great Eddie Shore was the first).

He was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third round (61st overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. After playing for the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League from 1984-1987, Murray's professional career began with the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League in 1987-88. During his third pro season in 1989-90, Murray played in a career-high 41 NHL games with the Capitals, notching 2-7-9 totals and 58 PIM. In his career, he saw action in 107 NHL games, tallying 4-15-19 totals and 111 PIM for the Capitals, Jets and Phoenix Coyotes.

Murray was known throughout his career as a leader, serving as the captain of four different clubs (Moncton Hawks, Springfield Falcons, Hamilton Bulldogs, Philadelphia Phantoms).
He and his wife Carolyn reside full-time in South Kingstown have four children, daughters Taylor and Quinn, and sons Zachary and Brendan.

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