Blackhawks pay tribute to Troy Murray

The Blackhawks paid tribute to Troy Murray on Monday.

Murray, a longtime Hawks player and broadcaster, died Saturday at age 63 after fighting cancer since 2021. Prior to the game against the Mammoth, the team’s first at home since Murray’s death, a video was played on the United Center videoboard and a moment of silence was held in his honor.

The 1986 Selke Trophy winner for being the NHL’s best defensive forward, Murray played 688 games with the Hawks. Arguably his most memorable moment as a player was the 1988-89 season finale against the Maple Leafs at Chicago Stadium.

The Hawks needed a point to make the playoffs and hold off Toronto for the final spot out of the old Norris Division. In overtime — during the era when teams did not earn a point for an OT loss — Murray stripped the puck from Leafs defenseman Todd Gill and beat goalie Allan Bester to give the Hawks a 4-3 win and propel them to the playoffs. The Hawks subsequently went on a surprise run to the Campbell Conference final but lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Flames.

In the radio booth for the Hawks’ three titles during the 2010s, Murray earned one as a player in 1996 with the Avalanche, appearing in eight playoff games to cap his NHL career with a championship. Joel Quenneville, who remembered Murray on Sunday, was an assistant coach on the Colorado team that swept the Panthers to win the Cup.

Quenneville told reporters in Anaheim that he and Murray drove back from airports during that run, and that he had the “pleasure” of being around him during the Hawks’ three successful Cup pushes.

“He’s one of those guys that, in the Blackhawk lore of good guys, he’s right up there,” said Quenneville, now coaching the Ducks.

No Moore, Knight

Forward Oliver Moore did not play Monday after crashing into the boards during Sunday’s overtime loss to the Stars. Moore was tangled up with Dallas center Colin Blackwell, slid into the boards and skated gingerly off the ice following the first-period goal by Sam Rinzel.

Moore missed the last 51:19 of the game. Coach Jeff Blashill did not have much of an update on Moore, who went in for tests Monday.

Goalie Spencer Knight (illness) was also out. Knight has not played since a March 3 overtime loss to the Jets.

Drew Commesso started in place of Knight.

Rinzel getting run

Entering Monday, Rinzel was averaging 21:59 of ice time and 24 shifts over the Hawks’ last four games.

Blashill said Rinzel is at his best when he’s making strong breakout passes that get the Hawks up the ice, where the young defenseman can join the play. Rinzel has done that of late, while managing the inherent risks of an offensive-minded defenseman.

“We talk all the time about making a play or living another day, and he’s managed that piece of the game well,” Blashill said. “What’s going to separate him in this league is the ability to skate and move the puck and he’s done a real good job of utilizing those powers that he has.”