Chicago Blackhawks Great and Broadcaster Troy Murray Dies at 63

Murray played 12 seasons with the Blackhawks and won the Selke Trophy in 1985-86 as the league's best defensive forward.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Troy Murray, a longtime center for the Chicago Blackhawks and a respected team broadcaster for 27 years, passed away on Saturday at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer. Murray played 12 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, winning the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 1985-86. After retiring as a player, he joined the Blackhawks' broadcast team and became a beloved figure in the organization.

Why it matters

Murray was a beloved figure in the Blackhawks organization, both as a player and a broadcaster. His passing is a significant loss for the team and its fanbase, as he was a key part of the Blackhawks' history and legacy over the past four decades.

The details

Murray was drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round in 1980 and broke into the NHL as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season. He went on to have a highly successful playing career, topping 20 goals in five consecutive seasons from 1984-85 to 1988-89, including a career-best 45 goals and 99 points in 1985-86 when he won the Selke Trophy. After retiring as a player, Murray joined the Blackhawks' broadcast team in 1998 and served as the team's radio analyst for 27 years, becoming a beloved figure among fans.

  • Murray was diagnosed with cancer in August 2021 and underwent chemotherapy treatments.
  • Murray continued working on Blackhawks broadcasts, though at a diminished workload, before stepping away entirely this season.
  • Murray passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the age of 63.

The players

Troy Murray

A former center for the Chicago Blackhawks who played 12 of his 15 NHL seasons with the team. He won the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 1985-86 and later became a beloved Blackhawks broadcaster for 27 years.

Danny Wirtz

The chairman and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, who expressed the organization's deep heartbreak over Murray's passing.

Ed Olczyk

A former Blackhawks teammate of Murray's who described him as a "five-tool player" who could skate, score, hit, play defense, and was "sneaky tough" on the ice.

Patrick Kane

A current Blackhawks player who expressed his respect for Murray and called him a "friend" in a social media post.

Jeff Blashill

The current head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, who said Murray made a "huge impact" on the organization.

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What they’re saying

“Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk so far beyond his incredible playing career, with his presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years.”

— Danny Wirtz, Chairman and CEO, Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago Tribune)

“Troy really was a five-tool player. He could skate, he could score, he could hit, he was outstanding defensively and he was sneaky tough when it came to hockey. He was just a great Chicago Blackhawk both on and off the ice.”

— Ed Olczyk, Former Blackhawks teammate (WSCR-AM)

“Heartbreaking to hear the news today on the passing of @muzz19. Always had so much respect for Troy as a former @NHLBlackhawks and even better person. RIP my friend.”

— Patrick Kane (X (Twitter)

“He was someone that was always trying to do stuff for other people, helping new people, he means so much to the (organization).”

— Connor Bedard, Blackhawks center (Blackhawks Ice Center)

“He was such a good guy to all the young guys in here. I feel like he made everyone feel welcome and meant so much to this organization, to the fans, (and to) so many generations that he impacted. Absolutely devastated to hear the news.”

— Alex Vlasic, Blackhawks defenseman (Blackhawks Ice Center)

What’s next

Funeral arrangements for Troy Murray have not yet been announced.

The takeaway

Troy Murray's passing is a significant loss for the Chicago Blackhawks organization and its fanbase. As both a respected player and beloved broadcaster, Murray left an indelible mark on the team and community over the past four decades. His dedication, leadership, and impact on the game and those around him will be long remembered.