Philadelphia Flyers
A Flyers draft pick who played three-plus seasons in Philadelphia and later returned as an assistant coach.
Gordon J. Murphy, a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, played 14 NHL seasons, including parts of three with the Philadelphia Flyers. Drafted by the Flyers in the ninth round, 189th overall, of the 1985 NHL entry draft, Murphy made his NHL debut with the team in the 1988–89 season after three seasons in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals and a year with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. He spent three-plus seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Boston Bruins in January 1992. Murphy later returned to the Flyers organization as an assistant coach, a role he held from June 18, 2014, until he was fired on November 28, 2018.
- Barry Ashbee Trophy (Philadelphia Flyers
- 1989–90 season
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Murphy's time with the Flyers began when he was drafted in the ninth round, 189th overall, of the 1985 NHL entry draft. After three seasons with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, he made his professional debut with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, in the 1987–88 season. He joined the Flyers in the 1988–89 season and played three-plus seasons in Philadelphia. In January 1992, the Flyers traded Murphy, along with Brian Dobbin and a 1992 third-round draft choice, to the Boston Bruins for Garry Galley and Wes Walz. Murphy later returned to the Flyers organization as an assistant coach, hired on June 18, 2014, and fired on November 28, 2018.
In Their Own Story
In the 1989–90 season, Murphy earned the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' top defenceman. That recognition came during his second season with the team, highlighting his steady play on the blue line. After three-plus seasons in Philadelphia, the trade to Boston in January 1992 sent Murphy, Brian Dobbin, and a 1992 third-round pick to the Bruins in exchange for Garry Galley and Wes Walz. Decades later, Murphy returned to the Flyers as an assistant coach, a role he held from June 18, 2014, until his firing on November 28, 2018.
Reader's Guide
Murphy's connection to the Flyers spans both his playing and coaching careers. As a player, he was drafted by Philadelphia in the ninth round, 189th overall, of the 1985 NHL entry draft. He played three seasons in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals before making his professional debut with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, in 1987–88. He joined the Flyers in 1988–89 and spent three-plus seasons there, earning the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the team's top defenceman in 1989–90. In January 1992, he was traded to the Boston Bruins with Brian Dobbin and a 1992 third-round pick for Garry Galley and Wes Walz. As a coach, Murphy was hired as an assistant coach by the Flyers on June 18, 2014, and was fired on November 28, 2018.
Did You Know?
- Murphy was drafted by the Flyers in the ninth round, 189th overall, of the 1985 NHL entry draft.
- He won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' top defenceman in the 1989–90 season.
- Murphy was traded from the Flyers to the Boston Bruins in January 1992 along with Brian Dobbin and a 1992 third-round pick for Garry Galley and Wes Walz.
- He later returned to the Flyers as an assistant coach, hired on June 18, 2014, and fired on November 28, 2018.
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