Former Jets Coach Bob Murdoch Dies at 76

Bob Murdoch, the coach of the original Winnipeg Jets from 1989-1991, died on August 3 at the age of 76. He had previously been diagnosed with Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease in 2019.

Murdoch had played 12 seasons in the NHL before going on to coach. He spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, the Atlanta and then Calgary Flames and the Montréal Canadiens, with whom he won two Stanley Cups in 1971 and 1973. Across his NHL career, Murdoch tallied 60 goals and 218 assists.

Jim Peplinski described his former Flames teammate as “dependable” and a player who “performed to the best to his ability, gave everything he had.” Murdoch, he said, “would, through his actions, show me how a friend, teammate, son, dad, grandad should behave.”

Following his time as a player, Murdoch’s coaching résumé was likewise diverse. He served as an assistant coach for both Calgary and San Jose. He was also the head coach for Chicago and took over as head coach of the original iteration of the Winnipeg Jets following the current Jets coach Rick Bowness’ term.

With the then-Jets (now the Arizona Coyotes), Murdoch coached for two seasons between 1989 and 1991. After being brought on, he helped turn the team around as they went 37-32-11 and made the playoffs after missing them the previous season.

Murdoch would go on to win the Jack Adams Award that year as the league’s best head coach.

After just one more season with the Jets following his Jack Adams win, Murdoch was succeeded as head coach by John Paddock.

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Featured content courtesy of NHL.com

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