Two-time Stanley Cup champion Bob Murdoch died at the age of 76, the NHL Alumni Association announced on Friday.
Murdoch had been battling several illnesses in recent years and was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinsonism, and Alzheimer’s in 2019. The defenseman appeared in 757 regular-season games during his 12 NHL seasons, suiting up for the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, and Atlanta/Calgary Flames from 1970-82. He finished his career with 60 goals and 218 assists.
His best individual campaign came with the Kings in 1974-75, when he set career-highs with 13 goals and 42 points. He earned an All-Star nod for his efforts that season.
The native of Kirkland Lake, Ont., won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1971 and 1973 and qualified for the playoffs in each of his 12 years in the league.
Following his playing career, Murdoch served as an assistant coach with the Flames before being named the Chicago Blackhawks’ head coach in 1987-88. He then spent two seasons behind the bench for the Winnipeg Jets from 1989-91, winning the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in 1989-90.
Murdoch later became an assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks before coaching a number of teams in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
