In 2008, Terry Murray became the 22nd head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. He came to the team with over three decades of hockey under his belt. A player, a scout, an assistant coach and now the head coach, Terry Murray has done it all. With Terry’s experience and knowledge of the game at all levels, fans should purchase their King tickets now for the upcoming riveting season of hockey.
Terry had proven his value as a head coach during his time with the Flyers. During his three years with the organization, Terry posted an impressive 118-64-30. The Flyers made the conference finals every year with Terry at the reigns. Regrettably, although the team did make the final round of the playoffs in 1997, they lost to the Detroit Red Wings.
Terry is one of ten children born to Clarence and Rhonda Murray. He was born in the small town of Shawville, Quebec on the 20th of June, 1950. Terry grew up playing hockey. He was drafted by the California Golden Seals in 1970. The California Seals were an NHL team from 1967 to 1976. He was drafted number 88 in the 7th round from the Ottawa 67’s. Terry spent his first year playing for the Seal’s farm team.
At 6 foot two inches, Terry was an impressive defenseman. In 1975, Terry signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Terry did a short stint in Detroit before being picked up on waivers by the Washington Capitols. In a strange twist of fate he played under his brother Brian Murray who was at the time working with the Capitols. Terry retired from playing at the end of the 1982 season. He then moved behind the bench.
Terry Murray has a no-nonsense philosophy. He believes in good solid defensive. Terry advocates a system that sees his players concentrating on playing a solid hard hitting sixty minutes of hockey. He urges his players to get the puck on net. He is not interested in fancy back-door plays or neat little tic-tac-toe passes. He wants the players to take the shot.
Murray is a firm believer in the draft and good scouting. He wants to see players enter into the L.A. system young. His philosophy involves seeing players develop and giving them a chance to mature into responsible all round players. He feels that being able to bring quality players up through the ranks creates an effective organization. Depth in a team is key to his overall strategy.
One of the things that Terry is well known for is his pairing of players approach. He habitually has two players on a line work together and then frequently changes the third man in and out of the line. The advantage to this method is that all of the players are able to become familiar with the other’s strength and abilities. This tactic means that he has no end to his line combinations, and he can mix and match players easily during a game.
Terry’s approach to the game is considered by some to be old fashioned. There are those that have questioned his decisions to mix and match players throughout the year. This philosophy has even extended to his goalies. However, head coach Terry Murray believes in his system and his method. If his past is any indication, the fans in Los Angeles can expect to see a team that is skilled in all areas of the game, and one that is not afraid to fight for every puck. It may not be the prettiest hockey, but it can be effective.
