The Spectacular Rise & Humiliating Fall of New York Rangers Phenom Don Murdoch.

Don "Murder" Murdoch's career is best remembered for its incredible beginning that was thwarted by high times and a costly crime. But could he turn his life around?
Flying back home to British Columbia in the summer of 1977, the New York Rangers rookie sensation who, six months earlier, had played in the NHL All Star game, hid in the plane's restroom, covered his face with his hands and cried. Cried for his reckless decisions, cried for the shame he'd brought to himself and his family, cried for the promising future that was no longer certain.
Don Murdoch was 20 years old, blessed with talent, fame and fortune, but cursed with immaturity and clouded vision. On the long flight home, he could not guess the extent of the gathering nightmare - the criminal charges, the public abuse, the crippling stigma, the guilty plea, the suspension - and, perhaps, the beginning of the end of a sure fire career in the National Hockey League.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for Fair Use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and more. No copyright infringement intended.
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www.prohockeyalumni.org
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[@IronHorsey3]

You don't see this kind of professional story covering an athlete's career but here, it was done right. We remember and love Don Murdoch. He was a great young player and our nickname for the Espo line, "Two Dons & a Godfather" is one we all remember and enjoyed. Thank you Don Murdoch. Glad you found your way on a good road home. God bless!

[@BillyJoeMcallister]

Phil Esposito a caring man opened the door for Don for another round in the NHL. If anything good came out of NY for Don it was NHL legend Phil Esposito. Great story once again!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks Billy Joe ... Espo is an endearing guy. Thanks for your comment, as always!

[@funpants9448]

He does fine back home, he is on the ice as of 2022 as lead hockey instructor at his own school

[@BillyJoeMcallister]

@@funpants9448 He's a good role model for kids, he knows the ropes of life.

[@dionysius1b870]

@@ProHockeyAlumni I have the best Espo story!! So, I grew up in Boston... My grandfather was a WW2 marine and then BPO.. so, this was in between the two SC the Bruins one.. the year after Bobby Orr score the GWG and Flew like the eagle. So Espo was hurt ( knee injury pretty bad ) he was in Mass General Hospital, which people come from all around the world, for the best medical care. One night Bobby Orr, Derek Sanderson, and a few others.. were out drinking in Boston.. and They we're all saying "we are not going to win the cup this year without Espo".. but "Bobby Orr said yes we can.. let's go get him." So at 10 pm on a Friday night 4-5 bruins in 1972 lead by Orr. When into MGH and "wheeled Espo , iv in they pushed Espo and everything hooked up to him right down the Congress street, then onto Newberry street. To a bar ( that Sanderson just bought called Daisy Buchanan's) and Espo had some beers with them! 🤣 But! When the doctor and nurse came in Espo's room they thought somebody kidnapped him and called the Boston police! My grandfather got the call from the captain.. him and his partner didn't know what to do... After an hour or two my grandfather got word that Espo was at the bar. They went there .. and sure as shit ... There was Orr, Sanderson, .. I have to call my dad and ask the other Bruins ? So, Orr said sorry to my grandfather.. whom said " don't worry let's get him back to MGH." I always wonder if it was a better time then.. I think it was. Go Bruins! 💪

[@davidthompson62]

Esposito saved more than one players life. The most famous was one night he found Derrick Sanderson beat up on a park bench in Central Park. Esposito took him in but was too busy to help him personally so shipped him to Orr in Boston. The hockey culture in The NHL was different in the 70’s than it is today. Players back then often went out “for a couple pops” and a meal mingling with the fans. This seldomly happens today. NY in the 70’s had a lot of dark temptations and more than one player flushed their careers on booze and drugs.

[@benjaminquan3247]

not sure why this came up in my feed but I'm glad it did

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

and we are glad, as well. THX!

[@jorgeeslava6455]

As a long time Ranger fan, I remember Murdoch in the Rangers 79 run to the Stanley Cup. It was sweet and memorable. Glad to see Don has turned his life around. We Rangers fans will always remember him.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

That was a fun time … glad Shero didn’t complete Espo trade to Hawks … Nilsson injury could have cost them the Cup.

[@garyblanchard1084]

That was the first Stanley Cup final round I watched. Hockey is the greatest.

[@sdgakatbk]

@@garyblanchard1084 Yes and the 2022-2023 season is starting up soon.

[@SgtHawk13]

Yeah remembered as a clown! 🤡🤡😭😭😂😂🤣

[@dr.loomis4221]

ok boomer

[@MikeyMike-uu3fe]

Right on...This was great.....I like a happy ending....I thought it was gonna be a tragic ending.....BUT MAN...20 Years old in the late 1970s..IN NEW YORK CITY!!??...geez man..those were the years cocaine was everywhere and MANY Were doing it.......The Temptations EVERYWHERE hehe.....Right on...👊👊

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks MM ... I'd hate to be judged on what a did at 20! Crazy times in a crazy city -- but he moved beyond it. Thanks for watching!

[@MikeyMike-uu3fe]

@@ProHockeyAlumni Absolutely thank you..👊

[@craigfazekas3923]

He's probably lucky to still be alive, given the lifestyle.... Mankind has as many stories as the ocean has gallons. Thanks for bringing another one to light !! 🚬😎

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, Craig ... I greatly appreciate your thoughts and feedback!

[@thinkingjack]

Phil Esposito really did try to open the door for a lot of his teammates that struggled with their decisions through their careers. I’m glad he got a chance from Phil and redeemed himself in a way instead of being a tragic ending like the Richard story

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Espo is loyal -- sometimes he was too loyal. But you Gott respect it. THX!

[@mckessa17]

Esposito was the guy who carried team Canada on his back in the 1972 Summit Series vs the Russians.

[@anthonyriche552]

@Matt Joseph That's true. Espo, Duguay and a few other Rangers from that '79 team use to party it up at nightclubs. The thing with Murdoch was that he was way too young to be exposed to that lifestyle. But Phil never turned his back on friends. He was there for Sanderson through some dark times.

[@RRaquello]

Esposito got a lot of blame for the Middleton trade. The stories were that he pushed for the deal so he could be teamed up again with his old Boston linemate Ken Hodge. Hodge was washed up and turned out to be a terrible bust with the Rangers. But I think it was Espo who said that if Middleton hadn't been traded out of New York he would have ended up in jail. I don't know what the exact story was behind that, but the rumor was "woman trouble" out in the Long Island party scene, which could be just as wild as anything in the city. (In those days, the Rangers training facilities were out on the Island. Long Beach, I think, and most of the players lived out there.

[@davidthompson62]

@@RRaquello Another fact concern ing Middleton at that time was you could see he has great potential as a goal scorer BUT he was horrible on the other end of the ice. Infact Bruins new head coach, Don Cherry, told Bruins GM Harry Sinden (who made the trade) that he may have not made it. Of course Middleton learned to play both ends of the ice and became a Bruins great. Hodge couldn’t find his swagger in New York and the rest is history.

[@justinhopper5941]

I can’t imagine what it would be like being that young and handed the keys to the kingdom. The partying and woman could easily to sidetrack a lot of guys…In 1970’s in New York it would be another level. Shit in junior hockey I went crazy partying and messed things up..I can’t imagine the temptation he had.

[@invaderjaymz]

Yes!!! I waited impatiently for this!!!

[@eugenekelly3231]

I was a Bartender on the Upper Eastside in Manhattan. Donny was a very nice guy. It was unfortunate that he had no mentor to rely upon.

[@e8ghtmileshigh1]

Phil Esposito seemed like he was always that, Don just rejected it when he was 20 and loaded all the time.

[@elvisparker4691]

My female cousin worked in The Garden in the 1970s.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

Great video. I expected to hear that he’d died of complications of his long years of cocaine and booze but it was really heartwarming to know that he turned his life around and is still out there growing the game to this day with his hockey school. Seems like a hell of a talented scorer and a great dude who was unfortunately by himself as a 19 year old kid with the whole Big Apple at his disposal: a lot of us would have turned out worse than he did given that same set of circumstances

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

👍 well said … personally, I was an idiot kid without the money or fame!

[@fasteddie9867]

Glad you're still alive Donnie. I remember your great playing during the 1978-79 season and playoffs. When I see a Rangers' #14 sweater--the owner of that is Donnie Murdoch.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

awesome, Fast Eddie! Thanks for watching!

[@Classicrocker6119]

This is more than just a sad story of a kid from Western Canada who got mixed up in the nightlife of New York City. I admit I lost track of Don’s career after he left the Oilers. Glad to hear that he’s doing well in Cranbrook BC with his hockey school. Thanks for another great documentary.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks 🙏 CR! Doc is living well and making lives better.

[@dongraham8236]

Wow! This is a story that could've been any Canadian kid...glad Don came out of this alive...

[@electricbone3284]

Great video! Thanks for sharing these incredible hockey stories.

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

I've never heard of this guy, but what a story !!! I was born in 1977. This is hockey legend gold. Please keep up the gr8 work. These days Hockey Canada woulda covered this so deep nobody would have heard a thing. Poor guy got his career ruined for 4 grams of blow ??? He wasn't hurting anyone. Please keep these docs up. God Bless 🙏.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

🔥 thanks JT … I appreciate your support!

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

@@ProHockeyAlumni got your back !!! Keep this up and you will receive success at the greatest level. Don't stinge on footage or research. You've got the formula !!!!

[@jackblaster7659]

He was a big deal back in the 70's in major junior hockey out west. The NHL and WHA drafts back then, were filled with western league first rounders. I think Murdoch was chosen 6th overall in the NHL amateur draft in 1976 and 5 out of the first 10 picked in round 1 were western league players. When he hit the NHL he was on fire, and unstoppable. 32 goals in 59 games in his rookie year with the Rangers. Nobody had numbers like that the first year. He was a rocket and it was too bad that he was treated so poorly for a mistake which is a slap on the wrists only a few years later.

[@thegreatrenaldo7718]

Thank you for uploading these stories

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

and thanks for watching them!

[@NolanEgbert]

Another excellent video! These are the types of hockey stories that the NHL doesn’t tell, but need to be told anyway and I’m glad you are able to do it

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Much appreciated! These are the stories that fascinated me when I was a kid ... I try to tell 'em with respect ... Thanks!

[@Flamsterette]

Thanks for the upload! Haven't heard of this hockey guy.

[@seinsmeld13]

What a great story, thanks for posting this.

[@paulcurtis1159]

These posts are fantastic, The history of the game never gets old . Thankyou

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Gotta love and respect the game -- and the players who made it great. Thanks very much for the feedback!

[@justawinddown]

These videos are great! Thanks 👍

[@billybobking200]

Another great vidéo. Thank you for it.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, my friend … greatly appreciated!

[@michaelemery1497]

Sad story, we had Derick Sanderson, who opened a bar with Joe Namath..Rick Middleton a great Bruin..Great video!!

[@Wolves1967]

Thank you for posting this story, I have been waiting for this one. Incredible job, I love Donnie Murdoch.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Glad you enjoyed it ... Thanks for your feedback ... Loved the Rangers of that era. Doc loved the NYR fans.

[@lindadeshannon2875]

Donnie put on sam steele road hockey tourney 1976 or 77 an the winners in the tourney won real new York ranger jerseys it was great an still have today can't believe this video came today un real .thanks Donny best sam Steele days ever .

[@oneworld1812]

@@lindadeshannon2875 I was a recipient of one of those jerseys back in the day.

[@thewacokid6927]

being a kid and Ranger fan at the time I never understood what was happening with him....nice to finally hear the real story and that he has turned things around.

[@davidmowry8951]

This was a great piece. Murdoch deserves praise for his strength and honesty. Many would of become lost, and given up life.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Yes, you can tell he came from a good home and family ... a good guy who had poor judgment a long time ago.

[@jamesewanchook2276]

great segment, thanks!

[@patrickethier6190]

Never knew doc Murdock was that much of a superstar, before I played with him in the IHL in Toledo... It was at the end of his career.. good guy!!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

thanks for sharing ... as I recall Pete M. pleased with him to help out the Toledo team due to injuries.

[@tjakr3869]

Good for you Don way to keep grinding. Sounds like you learned a valuable lesson and are sharing your hardships as a mentor to young people.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Well said! We all make mistakes -- the key is to learn from them. Doc has done that. Thanks.

[@ernestallison9880]

Loved this look at Donny. I grew up in the same town and met him a few times. I always felt sad for him because he really could have been a great player if not for his bad choices. I'm happy that he was able to come through it all and can teach kids now.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Great comment. Thanks!

[@larrydanadavid2435]

Isn’t Steve Yzerman from the same town?

[@ernestallison9880]

@@larrydanadavid2435 He was born there but grew up in Ontario. Didn't play his minor hockey in Cranbrook.

[@jupiteral8217]

"yea, I rememba once me and Paulie, we was in the Gahden at da Ranguhs game and dis kid Moydock, he come outta nowhere and he scores tree friggin' goals!!"

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

LOL! Funniest comment of the year!

[@onelove1968]

Your channel is incredible. My buddy and I are both old time hockey fans ... we really love hearing about these alumni player stories. Thanks for all the time and effort that you put into making these. It's as though all of my classic hockey cards are now coming to life!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

I appreciate that! You just made my day. Thank you!

[@pickford3152]

Amazing as usual my friend👍 by far the best uploaded of hockey history on KZbin..I’m still re listening to all your podcasts on Spotify!! I wish you were still uploaded new material on there, but I know your a busy man

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You made my day, Pick ... as always, grateful for your kind words and support. Yes, the podcast requires a ton of prep but I enjoyed it immensely. You never know, but, for now, I could never effectively do both. Thanks again!

[@Lucas-tr2gj]

awesome and heartbreaking story. im glad to hear hes got his life back on track. no use in wishing for what couldve been, so its a good thing he repaired his life eventually. great content👊

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Well said! Not everybody can recover from these issues. Thanks so much for your comment!

[@tpor1206]

Great video again - thank you!!👍

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you .. I appreciate your support!

[@coffeenow2382]

Not really a hockey fan, but enjoyed this video, enlightening, thanks!

[@humanbeing2420]

Great video. As a Ranger fan, I've heard Murdoch's name mentioned many times in connection with the teams of the late 70's but never really knew his story. This explained it really well. Good thing it had a happy ending.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

💪 there’s a strong bond between NYR fans and the players of that generation. Great loyalty in both sides

[@ShibaInu154]

He had a laser beam of a shot.

[@TheSpritz0]

IF you make a mistake AND LEARN FROM IT and turn around your life, you get FAR more respect than you know...

[@sportsfix6975]

Wow, I remember subscribing to your channel when you had 50 subscribers. Your excellent bios are way to good to go unnoticed. You'll hit a million one day I'm sure.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks for your support ... It means a lot and I enjoy bringing these stories to life for great fans like you!

[@Ford69BOSS429]

thanks for creating this story. I love these old time players. Sad story with a happy ending. It was tough back in the day if you had issues in hockey. You might get help from individuals but the organizations turned a blind eye.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Agreed and thanks …. These kids were on their own back in the day … old days weren’t always better 🙏

[@petesnaturalpowerlifting1158]

As a 54 year old native New Yorker, I loved watching Murdoch play when I was a kid. Great memories.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Weightlifting - especially heavy compound movements- are the fountain of youth 💪

[@petesnaturalpowerlifting1158]

@@ProHockeyAlumni I agree! ( and also hoping so lol)

[@randomname9758]

What a great, compact documentary. Subscribed. 👊

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks for watching .., I appreciate your support!

[@llkj7944]

Him and his brother lived just up the street from us in the mid 60s, my Dad built us a small back yard rink we all skated on when we were all under 10 years old, never knew him personnel since he was a bit older and left Cranbrook very young to pursue his career, I didnt follow his career much but watched him with the Rangers a little through the late 70s and then noticed him back around town in the 90s, Too bad his playing career didn't span longer, he likley would have been a career 40+ goal scorer and played in some big games, glad he found piece with it all, it happened to a good many young players with huge talent, hockey culture was much different in those days, no programs in the NHL or individual teams to help mentor players through big money and bright lights! Some of these kids never earned a pay check in their life and then get $100,000s or millions at their disposal at 19 or 20, drop them in a soul robbing night life party town like NY! At least now they try to educate junior players and rookie NHLers to take things in stride and focus on the career, some still slip though the cracks though unfortunately .

[@hklinker]

It was indeed a different world for hockey players in so many ways. Fitness and diet, sleep, investing, representation…the clubs offered little support compared to today’s NHL. A lot of great players never even really got established coming out of junior hockey.

[@danajooks9677]

What a stroll down memory lane and what a body of work you put into this story. Ty for so much detail and finding out what happened to a beloved New York Ranger favorite. That Stanley cup run is still a fascinating time and yeah.....he was an integral piece. Salut Don for turning it around and salut phil Esposito for caring.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, DJ ... great feedback and recall. Glad you saw value in this look back at Doc's career.

[@davidfitzgerald3653]

So glad you succeeded. One drunk to another. One hockey player to another.

[@phillipstankey8881]

Played is last games as a pro here in Toledo during the final season (1985-86) for the IHL's Toledo Goaldiggers. The player/coach of that team was Pete Mahovolich...he also was playing his last games as a pro

[@drivesecure2476]

Don was a bright lite in the NHL for a very short time got caught up in the night life of New York if maybe someone would of gave him some tough love things might of turned out much better its good that he got himself back on track and his story just might help the next young player !!!

[@prezidentjeff]

One of my favourite channels on KZbin

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, Prez ... that means a lot.

[@acedaytona1884]

Great content keep it up!!!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

will do, Ace! Thanks.

[@tonypalombinijr2946]

As a long time Rangers fan who is old enough to remember Murdoch’s time in NY I’m so glad to see how how he pulled his life together. Like someone else commented I expected this video to end on a sad note. Hopefully the young aspiring players he crosses paths with will listen intently to what he says. I can’t imagine the level of temptation any budding star athlete faces every day. You need good quality mentors around you to lead the way.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

great comment with valuable insights. Thanks for sharing!

[@wilseph1]

A pair of 80+ goal seasons in junior. Not too shabby.

[@jamaljennings5734]

Sometimes, not always how you start, but how you finish in this world, glad to see Don redeem himself.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You've got that right, my friend ... always good hearing from you.

[@georgeanthony7282]

I also remember Don Murdoch. Had so much potential... so much promise. Unfortunately, he wasn't mature enough to handle the pressures that go along with playing in a city like New York. That said, I'm glad he is still alive. For a time, it didn't seem as though even that wouldn't have sufficed.

[@michaeltootikian4402]

Don Murdoch was one of my favorite hockey players

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

He was fun to watch ... and he loved to score goals!

[@JJBMusic0]

Great video, glad to see he came through it. Sometimes, there’s a bigger picture and I’m sure his experiences will make a difference to someone out there

[@dgcmusi]

I’m glad he’s doing well…I actually worked at their practice rink in Rye New York back in those days…

[@Redhotlugnut]

Haha, I love this footage from the 70's. I was very young when I started watching hockey and collecting hockey cards. The 78-79 season (I was 6) is when I remember seeing the Rangers jersey and logo and John Davidson's mask. Also Ken Dryden's mask and he retired after this season. Don Murdoch I remember his hair and he had really good stats but I never knew the story behind the player. I wonder how he would have made out if he had been in a more humble city such as St Louis or Pittsburgh? Guy was a natural goal scorer for sure. Can't teach that.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks 🙏

[@gordiespartan4443]

Awesome story asxaxkid growing up playing in Calgary watching him play . These were hard drinking party times for young players .So happy to hear his name again and how he turned it around. GOOD ON YOU MURDOCH .Cheers Gordie Murdoch Cameron

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks very much ... Doc's story is a good one and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@josephwirtz8352]

Great message he has, for those that have ears to hear…👍🏼

[@vincentmurphy9252]

Love this podcast

[@eirikrdberg1161]

Murdoch was just before my time. I got into hockey as a player and NHL fan in 80-81. Just about everyone who has played a season since 83 or so I remember in some way, but not those who retired Prior to the 80s. I do remember hus name being a rangers fan and seeing several regular season and playoff games in msg in 82-83-84 when I lived in connecticut.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Glad you watched ... and appreciative of your comment. We love you kids!

[@GrisouIII]

I find your content really interesting…am I’m not even a hockey fan!

[@sdgakatbk]

I remember him as a Ranger and when Edmonton got him. I liked him but didn't know all the problems he had at the time. I'm glad he turned things around. Also, in his position with the Lightning, he would have credibility talking to any young players that were facing the same things in the organization.

[@danc2426]

Alls well that ends well.. what young man out there has never made mistakes ? He shows maturity and wisdom now…way to go !

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

agreed ... young and reckless would describe most of us ... THX!

[@anthonyriche552]

Well pieced together. I remember Murdoch on the Rangers and vaguely on the Oilers. Didn't know all the stuff he went through afterward. It must have been tough going from "golden child" (and playing with one) to toiling in the minors. But I'm glad he turned his life around and can be proud of how he turned out. Some guys aren't so lucky.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

And he was playing for peanuts in his last 2-3 years. Just riding buses and hoping for a miracle. His benching in 79-80 was a warning sign but he seemed fine until the 80-81 season. He worked hard for the O's but couldn't score despite playing with Anderson and Messier. Sather was wary of his "issues" and Murdoch would not accept a pay cut. He was never the same.

[@daleweiss9507]

I watched him play for the Medicine Hat Tigers back in the day, very exciting games. Morris Lukowich was the set up man and would set up Murdock with perfect passes. I miss those days.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Luke, Carroll and Murder ... all three made it to the NHL. What a line!

[@andicampbell8621]

Very interesting and a good watch. As a NYR fan from afar, I`d never heard of Don, but so glad he found his way in life.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your feedback!

[@kowalski3769]

I was at a Ranger practice one time and Murdoch was trying to give me his stick over the glass. I was a little kid and just as I jumped up to grab it some older kid came by and snagged it from me. Little shit! I did get an some pucks that Ulf Neilson throw over the glass and I was able to grab a Barry Beck autograph that day so over all it was a great day! My dad saw Murdoch out at a NY bar one time and got me his autograph though. I still have it tucked away somewhere.

[@johnparsons1573]

Great video

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks! Appreciate it. Great story to tell.

[@MrOctober44]

Isles fan. Never heard of him but certainly an interesting story. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more. To be a young star athlete in New York.. I can't imagine the temptation, ego, money must be overwhelming.

[@lostvlog6857]

That was interesting! I remember him and the drug bust but I had no idea what a great goal scorer he was, I mean those rookie numbers were just insane. It's a shame he got hurt, just crazy that they say he was washed up at only 25 a few years later. Now adays they protect the young stars from the nightlife and drugs, not back then though.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Great comment ... imagine 16 goals in your first 16 NHL games. And he was playing with so-so linemates like Greg Polis and Walter Tkaczuk

[@recPokerFish]

"Murder" was a natural scorer ...he put up good numbers for the NYR and put up good numbers in the minors after his NHL career was over.....Sonny Werblin was a great man..

[@Ron-sr6iz]

Thanks for the great story. Embarrassed that iI never heard of this guy. Actually Seems like a pretty great career considering what the young guy went thru living in NYC.

[@donaldleider7382]

Murdoch still should have won the Calder trophy, was by far the best rookie of 1977!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You got that right ... really got cheated. 32 goals in 59 games.

[@RockHistoryMusic]

Nice job.

[@brucemunro949]

I noticed in the all star game photo, Don Murdoch is standing beside another Medicine Hat Tiger great Tom Lysiak.👍

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Good eye … they were tight and hung out in Atlanta … they had no trouble on the bachelor scene

[@brucemunro949]

I know you have a video on Tom Lysiak which is very good. Have you ever considered doing one on Lanny McDonald?

[@martinrobert8490]

Another great job wow. I don’t even know the guy what a talent wasted. Thank you.

[@RRaquello]

Just thought of it, but there were two Bob Murdochs in the NHL at the time. One was Don's brother, who I remember playing with the Cleveland Barons, and the other, not a relative as far as I know, was a longtime very solid defenseman with the LA Kings. He had one of the best mustaches in the 1970's NHL.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

right ... I'm sure that caused a lot of confusion in the 70s.

[@RRaquello]

@@ProHockeyAlumni Out of curiosity, I looked up Bob (Don's brother) Murdoch's career starts and they were actually pretty good for a guy playing on the terrible teams that were the California Seals and Cleveland Barons, twice scoring 20 goals in a career that only lasted 4 years and ended at age 25. I wonder what the story was there. When you showed the chart of Don's draft year, I noticed that the Seals picked right ahead of the Rangers and took one of the all-time busts in Bjorn Johansson. If the Seals had taken Don, he would have been on the team with his older brother, who might have kept him out of trouble (maybe not, looking at the arc of Bob's career), and he would have eventually ended up on the North Stars when they were an up & coming team in the late 70's, with players like Craig Hartsburg, Bobby Smith, Steve Payne, Al MacAdam, Tim Young, etc. Those were all very solid guys and maybe with that team he could have fulfilled his potential. Who knows?

[@richvail7551]

Good for him. Broke my heart when he said he thinks about it every day, how he wished he could go back and change it all. It would be a tough pill to swallow if you get sober and then see what was actually possible. But in recovery there is no point in living in regret. You may not be able to change the past but we can certainly change our present and future and I’ve never met a lazy sober alcoholic in recovery. We are hard workers and great motivators. Glad Murdock turned his life around and has had time to spend with his kids and grandkids if he has any. Those relationships are true gold and better than any trophy in any sport.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Well said -- excellent post. Thanks!

[@GetBenched2010]

You should cover Fred Shero's rise and fall as well.

[@chowmushi]

I live in the same building Murdoch lived in in NYC, upper east side. The doorman (who has since passed) used to tell stories about Don and his partying ways, coming home late, drunk and stoned, with different women.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Awesome story ... different times for sure.

[@bustertaco]

Newspaper clipping Superintendent Donald Heaton of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,..."You people down in the States are not on the metric system yet, so you will have to get used to it in the near future. " 😹😹😹

[@dkay636]

God bless with what you are doing with the youth.

[@mrchitlin6255]

Love hearing The Big Whistle

[@register1430]

Upped your production software I think. Nice look. Yes, forgot about him, more remembered from the Oiler days. Was dreading the ending - tragedy or redemption? Glad to see the latter.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, Reg! Appreciate your ongoing support!

[@buddmannable]

The late 70's, early 80's Rangers were the definition of cool....Murder, Espo, Greschner, The Maloneys , Ron Duguay and the Swedes.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You’re right … what an interesting group!

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

Thank you for using "Young and Wasted".....been singing oneif ny favorite KISS sings all day frim the Lick itvUp 1983 album... BUT LIVE versinbwith Eric Car singingl8

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

God Bless Eric Carr! Good pick up on the sing title … KISS is a big influence on the channel

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

@@ProHockeyAlumni As a lifer KISS ARMY (see my name) Eric is very special to me. My favorite drum kit ever was his Chikara Crazy Nights tour Ludwig kit. His sister sent me a couple of pieces of it. As well as his FULL audition tape and paper interview and other things. I collect old KISS shows (over 700) and old Hockey games/films especially Russian hockey and Devil but anything...maybe we could à? Any way ..thanks.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

@@ms.felonystrutter2472 VERY cool 😎 … I had dinner with Bruce Kulick a few years back … also a great guy.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

@@ProHockeyAlumni Yup he is wonderful...

[@thefozzybear]

A lot of young star hockey players can learn from Don Murdoch's life experiences.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

No doubt ... hangers-on are not your friend. Thx!

[@petermotta1623]

Great to see Don is feeling & doing better !!

[@daveyboy_]

I remember reading about this guy I Inside Sport in 84 or 85.

[@clearcreek69]

Its alot different these days when it comes to hockey players & the ability to get professional help should they need it. I was glad to find out he turned his life around.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

No support back in the day and basically EVERYONE drank …. Luckily Doc could save himself. Thx!

[@clearcreek69]

Players also smoked back then too unlike today.

[@darrentoronto73]

That playoff goal against BUF was a beauty, grabbing the puck throwing it down and firing.

[@desert.mantis]

Who hasn't made regrettable choices in their youth? I know I did.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

No doubt ... I was an idiot at that age.

[@cps7962]

great stuff.

[@stevetaylor9770]

Great job. Thanks.

[@GetBenched2010]

To this day the Rangers organization keeps drug related issues in house sidestepping the NHL because of the fact that the league banned him for a year for the crime of seeking out a rehab centre as the league didn't have a drug program. They protected Theo Fleury and Jacob Trouba when they were having their problems in ensuing years.

[@miked6335]

Notice the secondary story at 6:26. Harold Ballard, owner of the Leafs, refused to put players names on their jerseys. When the NHL insisted, he (and I forget which came first) put names on the jerseys that were too small to read and put names in the same color as the jerseys so the names could not be seen by the fans. Fun times!

[@DarthVader-eg9jm]

Wow. Look at the draft list of 1977 at 1:35. Bernie Federko right after Donny and the Harold Phillipoff of the New Westminster "bad boy bruins". WHL hockey was rough and tough back then.

[@mortimerbrewster1028]

Well done. I'm glad Mr. Murdoch turned his life around. The Red wings were in bad shape when Devellano took them over. He tried to salvage the careers of Murdoch and Reggie Leach,and Eric Vail. One time great Players who fell on hard times due to off ice lifestyles. Detroit was their final stop.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Right again, Mort ... The Motor City was the last roundup for many troubled players in the early 80s.