Bob Murdoch death: How did the former Canadian Ice Hockey player die? Cause of death & Obituary

Bob Murdoch, a former Canadian Ice Hockey player, popularly nicknamed Mud by his teammates, died on August 4, 2023.

The defender played 115 games in Atlanta and 147 games in Calgary. Mud was a fantastic hockey player, but an even better man who touched the lives of everyone who met him. He pulled the best out of everyone around him.

Many individuals expressed their condolences to his family and how much they adored him. The news of this incident shocked his supporters and fans. Keep reading to know more about Bob Murdoch and his cause of death in detail.

Who was Bob Murdoch?

Bob Murdoch is a former professional ice hockey defenseman and coach from Canada. Murdoch played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Flames, and Calgary Flames.

He also coached 10 seasons in the NHL, serving as head coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets, as well as an assistant coach for the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks. He won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1971 and 1973.

Early Life:

Bob Murdoch grew up at Larder Lake, a half-hour drive east of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, the son of a rental car franchise owner. Bob actually only played outdoor hockey until he was 14 years old, when he joined a Kirkland Lake club.

His academics were extremely important to him. Murdoch turned down a hockey scholarship at Michigan Technological University in Houghton in order to attend the University of Waterloo and pay tuition. Mathematics and Physical Education are two of the most important subjects in school.

International play:

University hockey players were uncommon in the National Hockey League at the time. Canadian university students making the NHL are becoming increasingly rare. Murdoch, on the other hand, would be an exception to the norm.

Murdoch considered teaching after graduating from Waterloo, but instead chose to join Father David Bauer’s Canadian national team training in the aim of competing in the Olympics. He skated with the “Nats” for two seasons, becoming friends with Cornell’s Ken Dryden, who was also on the squad.

Unfortunately, Murdoch’s Olympic dream was shattered by politics. Hockey Canada boycotted the 1972 Olympics due to a dispute regarding amateurism issues. The national team ideal quickly faded, and players like Murdoch were forced to make career options.

When the Montreal Canadiens offered Murdoch a free-agent contract, he elected to stay in the game. He, like most of Montreal’s prospects at the time, would spend a couple of seasons in the minor levels learning the ropes. Murdoch would play for the Habs in 1972-73, alongside – get this! – Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Jacques Laperriere, and J.C. Tremblay. It was no surprise that the Habs would win the Stanley Cup with such a strong blue line.

While the Canadiens’ blue line would go on to build a dynasty later in the decade, Murdoch would leave for Los Angeles shortly after the 1973 triumph. It was a positive thing for Murdoch because it gave him additional opportunities to play in California for the next six seasons.

Murdoch was traded to Atlanta in 1979. In 1980, he relocated the entire franchise to Calgary. He spent three seasons with the Flames before hanging up his skates and taking a seat behind the bench as an assistant coach.

Murdoch was one of the players of the Canadian national team in 1968-69 and 1969-70.

Coaching Career:

Murdoch coached the Chicago Blackhawks for 80 games in 1987-88, achieving a 30-41-9 record. The following season, Mike Keenan took over as Blackhawk’s head coach.

Murdoch was named head coach of the Winnipeg Jets for the 1989-90 season. The Jets went 37-32-11 for 85 points and third in the Smythe Division, making the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs but falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion, the Edmonton Oilers, in seven games.

Murdoch was seen as a major component of the Jets’ fast turnaround, winning the NHL’s Jack Adams Award as coach of the year. Despite their previous season’s success, the Jets underperformed in 1990-91, finishing last in the Smythe Division with a record of 26-43-11 and missing the playoffs. Murdoch was sacked at the end of the season, and John Paddock took his position.

During the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons, Murdoch worked as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks. He then moved to Europe, where he managed many clubs in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

How did Bob Murdoch die?

On August 3, 2023, Bob Murdoch, a former Canadian ice hockey player, passed away. He was 76.

On Facebook, the NHL Alumni Association posted about Bob Murdoch’s death.

It read,

“The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Bob Murdoch has passed away at the age of 76.

Bob had an illustrious NHL career both on and off the ice. In his first three seasons playing, Bob became a 2x Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadiens in 1970-71 and 1972-73 seasons. He would go on to play in 757 regular-season games for numerous teams, scoring 278 points.

After his playing career, Murdoch became an Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames and coached in the League for 10 seasons. He was praised for his coaching efforts by winning the Jack Adams Award in 1989-90.

Bob was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinsonism, and Alzheimer’s in 2019. His courage and bravery in battling these diseases was nothing short of extraordinary, alongside his wife, Bev, and daughters.

Bob was and is loved by so many, and his legacy on and off the ice will forever be remembered. We send our deepest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, and former teammates during this difficult time.”

Bob had a distinguished NHL career both on and off the ice. Bob won the Stanley Cup twice with the Montreal Canadiens in his first three seasons, in 1970-71 and 1972-73. He went on to appear in 757 regular-season games for a variety of teams, earning 278 points.

Bob was and is to be adored by many, and his legacy on and off the ice will be remembered forever. During this terrible time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family, friends, and former teammates.

Bob Murdoch cause of death

Bob Murdoch was regarded as having a friendly personality. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, teammate, coach, and friend. Murdoch won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.

In 2019, Bob was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinsonism, and Alzheimer’s. Along with his wife, Bev, and daughters, his perseverance and bravery in confronting these ailments was nothing short of incredible.

Sadly, Bob died at the age of 76 after a long battle with the illness.

The funeral plans for Bob Murdoch will be made public at a later date. This indicates that the family is making arrangements and will provide the necessary information regarding his death and the scheduled burial service as soon as feasible.

Tributes to Bob Murdoch

Everyone, including friends and family, is currently exhausted from grieving for Bob Murdoch, thinking about him, praying for his afterlife, and posting condolences on social media.

Calgary Flames club wrote: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family & friends of Bob Murdoch Affectionately known as Mud by his teammates, the defenceman played 115 games in Atlanta and 147 games in Calgary. An incredible husband, father, grandfather, teammate, coach, & friend, he will be missed.”

Kingstorian team wrote: “Rest in peace, Bob Murdoch. Murdoch was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens, and played with th @LAKings  for six seasons.”

Obituary

Today, we mourn the loss of a great athlete but also cherish all that Bob has given us during his lifetime – unforgettable moments on the ice as well as inspiring stories off it which will live on long after he’s gone. One of the worst things anyone can go through in life is losing a loved one. Any journey must have a destination at the end. The person’s time on earth has regrettably come to an end now that they have died. We wish him eternal peace and send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones, family, friends.

Visit our website frequently to read more articles of similar type, and don’t forget to leave comments for Bob Murdoch‘s cherished family as they go through this difficult period.

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