In a team statement on Saturday morning, the Blackhawks announced the death of former player and broadcaster Troy Murray. He was 63 years old.
We’ll miss you, “Muzz” ❤️
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 7, 2026
From all of us here at the Blackhawks, we extend our deepest condolences to Troy’s family and friends, our alumni and the many fans who loved him dearly
📰 https://t.co/uSli2fiTDw pic.twitter.com/bEqGYq34ts
A native of Calgary, “Muzz” was a third-round pick (57th overall) of the Blackhawks in the 1980 NHL Draft and played in 688 games across two stints with the Hawks, tallying 488 points (197 G, 291 A). His best seasons were in Chicago, including his Selke-winning 1985-86 season, when he notched career bests in goals (45), assists (54) and points (99). He also played with Winnipeg, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Colorado in his NHL career, notching 584 points (230 G, 354 A) across 912 games.
This goal by TROY MURRAY sent the Blackhawks on an improbable run to the 1989 Campbell Conference finals. He was a special player and person. #RIP youtu.be/zko64dyOMAU?…
— Jeff Agrest (@jeffagrest.bsky.social) March 7, 2026 at 9:17 AM
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Here’s TROY MURRAY scoring in November 1988 … in french! #Blackhawkshttps://t.co/s4t6zoZqIE via @YouTube
— Jeff Agrest #🟦 (@JeffAgrest) March 7, 2026
🖤
— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) March 7, 2026
We love you, Troy. Forever a Blackhawk. pic.twitter.com/NCTZMrmZWn
Those who may not remember Murray as a player will remember him as the color analyst for Blackhawks broadcasts for the last few decades, where he and John Wiedeman formed a duo that was the soundtrack for many of the best moments in the team’s history. Unfortunately, Murray’s presence in the radio booth became less and less frequent in recent years following the public reveal of his cancer diagnosis in 2021.
This call will forever be iconic. You can hear the emotion and passion in Troy Murray’s voice. When hardly anyone knew where the puck was, he reassured everyone over and over again that it was in the back of the net. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/wU9tYMubeg
— Patrick Comiskey (@Comiskey22) March 7, 2026
The legacy of Murray persists in the way he is remembered by the people who were around him most, and there was no shortage of tributes to Murray pouring in on social media Saturday morning as the news spread:
Crushed by the Troy Murray news today. I admired him as a player growing up and once I got to know him on the beat, he became one of my favorite people ever. A tremendous person who will be missed dearly. Thank you, Troy. Rest easy, my friend.
— Greg Boysen (@gregboysen.bsky.social) March 7, 2026 at 8:25 AM
I used to joke with Troy how "salty" he was postgame after a #Blackhawks loss during his playing days..He was welcoming, warm, shared his knowledge & most importantly, a true friend (& a classic jokester) 24/7 in our 4 years working together @WGNRadio & since. ❤️ to the Murrays https://t.co/Yq7rD4zlqW
— Chris Boden (@BodenTweets) March 7, 2026
Sad to hear of the loss of #Blackhawks Troy Murray. A fan favorite on the ice for those of us growing up in the 80s and a mainstay on Chicago's airwaves after his playing career. God Bless to his and the #Blackhawks family including radio partner John Wiedeman. #cancersucks
— Peggy Kusinski (@peggykusinski) March 7, 2026
I’m terribly saddened to learn of the passing of Troy Murray. I had the pleasure of covering his career and working with him during my time @WGNRadio. He was such a gentle soul & one heck of a hockey player. Deepest condolences to his family & all Blackhawk fans.
— George Ofman (@georgeofman) March 7, 2026
My heart hurts this morning with the loss of Troy Murray. One of the most wonderful guys I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. RIP, Troy
— Tracey Myers (@traceymyers.bsky.social) March 7, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Troy Murray has died. Just devastating. No one brightened up a day at the rink like Troy. I'll miss his stories, his mischievous smile, his throwing of popcorn at us whenever his booth was behind us in the press box. Truly one of the all-time good guys. Peace and love to his family.
— Mark Lazerus (@marklazerus.bsky.social) March 7, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Early in my career I produced many Hawks games when @thescorechicago was the team’s flagship. Troy was the goods on and off the air. Thinking of his family and friends. https://t.co/K9rzxNbeC6
— Chris Tannehill (@ChrisTannehill) March 7, 2026
I was once a young 22-year-old producing Blackhawks games on WGN Radio, really having no idea what I was doing, and Troy Murray always made me feel so welcome in the booth. He was a great player and person. This is a big loss for Chicago. https://t.co/VmW7h6ONsc
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 7, 2026
Below is a statement from Danny Wirtz, Blackhawks chairman and CEO:
“The Chicago Blackhawks are deeply heartbroken today as we mourn the loss of Troy Murray, our beloved “Muzz,” and our love and support go out to his family.
Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk, so far beyond his incredible playing career with a presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years. He was admired by his teammates and our players, and was so proud to connect generations of Blackhawks through his work with the Blackhawks Alumni Association. He jumped at every call to support our local community with our Foundation. He never missed a chance to say ‘hello’ in our press box and always knew the perfect time for a joke just when someone around the office needed it most. And he absolutely loved bringing Blackhawks hockey to you, our fans, night after night with a dedication to his craft that never wavered to the very end.
During his long and hard battle with cancer, it was often said that Troy didn’t have any ‘give up’ in him. While our front office simply won’t be the same without him, we will carry that spirit forward every day in his honor. We’ll miss you, Troy.”