WMU hockey coach to kick off Keystone speaker series

KALAMAZOO—Head coach of the Western Michigan University men’s ice hockey program will discuss his experience leading the team when he speaks as part of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series at Western Michigan University.

Andy Murray will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in the Dean's Conference Room of Schneider Hall, home of the Haworth College of Business. He will deliver a presentation titled "WMU Hockey.”

The event is free and open to the public and begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (269) 387-5050. Free parking is available.

Andy Murray

Announced as the sixth head coach of WMU’s hockey team in 2011, Murray led the Broncos to the program’s first Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament championship in 25 years in the 2011-12 season. He also coached WMU to its second-straight, and fifth overall, NCAA Tournament appearance, marking the first time the Broncos have made the tournament in back-to-back seasons. 

With an extensive resume, Murray came to WMU with a total of 20 years as either a head or assistant coach in the National Hockey League. He is one of only 39 coaches in NHL history to reach 300 wins with a career record of 333-278-58-71. He has 10 years of NHL head coaching experience, spending six seasons, 1999-2006, at the helm of the Los Angeles Kings and four seasons, 2006-10, with the St. Louis Blues. Along with his professional coaching background, Murray also brings international experience. He coached Team Canada to gold medals at the 2007, 2003 and 1997 World Hockey Championships and holds six Spengler Cup Titles—an annual tournament in Switzerland—for Team Canada. He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame as a part of the 2012 class for his part in his three world championships.

A native of Souris, Manitoba, Murray and his wife have three children, all of whom play professional hockey in Switzerland.