Bryan Murray (1942-2017)

Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images

The American Hockey League joins the hockey community in mourning the loss of Bryan Murray, who passed away Saturday at the age of 74.

Murray had been battling colon cancer since 2014.

“Bryan was one of the greatest men that the game of hockey has ever known and also a great father, mentor and teacher,” said Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Ottawa Senators and their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. “We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Geri, daughters Heide and Brittany and the entire Murray family on their loss.”

Murray coached for 18 seasons and 1,239 games in the National Hockey League and the 2016-17 season was his 35th consecutive year working in the league. Before breaking into the NHL, Murray spent the 1980-81 season as head coach of the AHL’s Hershey Bears.