BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – With Kris Knoblauch hired as the Head Coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, he now has a very familiar bench partner to work with.
Gord Murphy, who was let go along with Knoblauch by the Philadelphia Flyers after being there for two seasons, today was named Associate Head Coach of the Wolf Pack on Friday.
Murphy, 52, has spent parts of the last 16 seasons as an NHL Assistant Coach (2002-19). Most recently, he served parts of five seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Philadelphia Flyers (2014-15–2019)
In an odd coincidence, Murphy ends up heading to Hartford after replacing former Wolf Pack head coach, John Paddock, in Philly back in 2014.
Murphy has also served as an Assistant Coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2002-03–2010) and Florida Panthers (2010-11–2014) in his coaching career. In addition, he was a member of Canada’s coaching staff at the 2014 IIHF U-18 World Championship, and he helped Canada earn a bronze medal in the tournament.
In his 14-year NHL playing career, (1988-89–2002), Murphy suited up with the Flyers, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Atlanta Thrashers. The defenseman skated in 862 career NHL games, registering 85 goals and 238 assists for 323 points, along with 668 penalty minutes. During his NHL career, the Willowdale, Ontario native was a member of an expansion team twice in his career (Florida –1993-94; Atlanta – 1999-00), and he helped the Panthers advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995-96.
Murphy won a Calder Cup with Hershey 1987-88 and played in a Memorial Cup tournament with the Oshawa Generals making the All-Tournament team. His son Connor, was an NHL first-round draft pick by the Arizona (nee Phoenix) Coyotes. He’s currently skating with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Rangers solve three issues with one move in the Murphy hire. They addressed the experienced coaching issue on the bench, get a coach with NHL experience in the room, and a defenseman coaching to work with the Rangers well regarded defensive prospects Libor Hajak, Ryan Lindgren, Finn Tarmo Reunanen, and possibly Adam Fox should he start the season in Hart City.
We can confirm several other candidates who were interviewed for the positions prior to the announcements this week.
One of the two coaches who was interviewed twice, but turned the job down was Steve Spott, 51, who was a San Jose assistant coach the last four seasons. He was a coach with the Toronto Marlies in 2013-14.
In addition, another former NHL assistant coach that’s looking for work made several inquiries and did not receive a return to his calls by the Rangers. The coach requested we not use his name, but confirmed his interest and his attempts to gain an interview.
Related
Related posts
Top picks
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…
Stay connected with ours socials