Former Hershey Bears Head Coach Bryan Murray Passes Away

Former Hershey Bears head coach Bryan Murray has passed away after a long battle with colon cancer.

Murray was the head coach of the Bears in 1980-81, helping lead Hershey to a playoff appearance. The following season Murray coached 13 games for the Bears before being promoted to the Washington Capitals’ head coaching job, taking over for Gary Green. Murray would spend nine seasons in Washington, coaching the Caps seven playoff appearances.

After his departure from the Capitals in the 1989-90 season, he would land head coaching jobs in Detroit, Florida, Anaheim, and Ottawa, leading the Senators to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

During off season in 2007, Murray was promoted to General Manager of the Senators. In 2014, he announced he was undergoing treatment for Stage 4 colon cancer. Prior to the 2016 season, he stepped down as Senators GM to take on an advisory role in the organization during his treatment.

“The Bears are saddened to hear of the passing of former head coach Bryan Murray,” the team said in a statement. “He was behind the bench for the Bears in 1980-81 and quickly established himself as one of hockey’s great coaches. He was beloved in the hockey community will be missed. The Bears organization offers its thoughts and sympathies to Bryan’s family during this time.”

Murray was 74 years old.