Larry Murphy (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Murphy played junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes, winning a Memorial Cup in 1979. He was drafted 4th overall in the 1980 NHL entry draft by the Los Angeles Kings. In his rookie season, he set NHL records for most assists (60) and points (76) by a rookie defenceman, finishing second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting. He was traded to the Washington Capitals in 1983, where he had four 50-point seasons and set franchise playoff records for fastest two goals and fastest three goals. He was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1989, then to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990, where he became a durable force and helped the team win Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. He later played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, winning consecutive Cups with Detroit in 1997 and 1998. Murphy retired in 2001.

Reader's Guide

Murphy's significance lies in his longevity and offensive production as a defenceman. He set the rookie record for points by a defenceman with 76 in 1981, a mark that still stands for a rookie playing an entire season as a defenseman. His 1,615 regular season games were a record for most career games by a defenceman, surpassing Tim Horton, and his 1,216 points rank fifth among defencemen in NHL history. He was a key contributor to four Stanley Cup championships, with notable playoff performances including 23 points in 1991 and 16 assists in 1992. Murphy also developed the 'Murphy Dump,' a clearing technique that avoided icing, coined by Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

Did You Know?

• He played 1,615 regular season games, the most by a defenceman at the time of his retirement.
• Murphy won four Stanley Cups: two with Pittsburgh (1991, 1992) and two with Detroit (1997, 1998).