Don Murdoch
Born (1956-10-25) October 25, 1956
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Height 6 ft 02 in (188 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for New York Rangers
Edmonton Oilers
Detroit Red Wings
NHL Draft 6th overall, 1976
New York Rangers
WHA Draft 12th overall, 1976
Cincinnati Stingers
Playing career 1976–1986

Donald Walter Murdoch (born October 25, 1956) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Detroit Red Wings between 1976 and 1982. He was featured in the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, playing with the Rangers.

Playing career

After a standout junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Murdoch was selected 6th overall in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft by the New York Rangers, and joined the team that year as a 20-year-old. He scored 56 points in 59 games his rookie season, including a Rangers rookie record of 32 goals, and finished as runner-up for the Calder Trophy for best rookie.[1][2] On October 12, 1976, Murdoch tied Howie Meeker's record for most goals in one game by a rookie with 5,[2] against the Minnesota North Stars.[3] A torn Achilles tendon ended his season in February.

In summer of 1977, Murdoch was caught by customs agents in Toronto with 4.5 grams of cocaine stashed in his socks. He was suspended by the league for the entire 1978–79 season (later reduced to 40 games) and later admitted to having a drinking and drug problem.[4][5]

He played 320 career games in the National Hockey League (NHL) but never regained the form of his first season, and retired after stops with the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.

After his playing career, Murdoch worked as a scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning, under general manager Phil Esposito.

Don is the brother of Bob Murdoch.

Legacy

In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, the authors ranked Murdoch at No. 99 all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons.[1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1973–74 Vernon Vikings BCHL 4550328269 —————
1973–74 Medicine Hat Tigers WCHL 41019 —————
1974–75 Medicine Hat Tigers WCHL 70825914183 515615
1975–76 Medicine Hat Tigers WCHL 708877165202 743723
1976–77 New York Rangers NHL 5932245647 —————
1977–78 New York Rangers NHL 6627285541 31344
1978–79 New York Rangers NHL 401521366 18751212
1979–80 New York Rangers NHL 5623194216 —————
1979–80 Edmonton Oilers NHL 105274 32020
1980–81 Wichita Wind CHL 2215102548 181772424
1980–81 Edmonton Oilers NHL 401091918 —————
1981–82 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 2411132424 450514
1981–82 Detroit Red Wings NHL 499132223 —————
1982–83 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 3510122219 —————
1983–84 Montana Magic CHL 171010202 —————
1983–84 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 5926204619 —————
1984–85 Muskegon Lumberjacks IHL 321813314 1663926
1985–86 Muskegon Lumberjacks IHL 124480 —————
1985–86 Indianapolis Checkers IHL 114374 —————
1985–86 Toledo Goaldiggers IHL 371523388 —————
NHL totals 320121116237155 241081816

Awards

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Cohen, Russ; Halligan, John; Raider, Adam (2009). 100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters. John Wiley & Sons. p. 14. ISBN 978-0470736197. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Weiner, Evan (13 October 2007). "Murdoch's NHL career was like a comet". NHL.com. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Zipay, Steve (2008). The good, the bad, and the ugly. heart-pounding, jaw-dropping, and gut-wrenching moments in New York Rangers history. Chicago, Ill.: Triumph Books. p. 43. ISBN 978-1572439658. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  4. ↑ McRae, Earl (5 January 1979). "Season on ice: Murdoch played a losing game". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Murdoch's biography at Hockey Draft Central
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