Senators GM Bryan Murray “expects next season to be his last,” according to Hallie Cotnam of CBC.ca. Murray, who has Stage 4 colon cancer, said, “I'm not as energized as I once was, but age has a little to do with that as well as the sickness.” He added that he “also eyes a shift into an advisor role when his contract expires” after the ‘15-16 season (CBC.ca, 5/28). In Ottawa, Bruce Garrioch notes moving away from the job full-time "has always been the plan for Murray." Murray said that there was "a succession plan in place once he stepped down full-time and the organization has young people in place.” Garrioch notes Murray “has been grooming” Dir of Player Personnel Pierre Dorion and Dir of Hockey Operations & Player Development Randy Lee and “both have taken on bigger roles.” Dorion has “worked with Murray on several of the contract negotiations, while Lee is now GM of the club's AHL affiliate in Binghamton” (OTTAWA SUN, 5/29).
BRAVO, BRYAN: In Ottawa, Adam Feibel notes Murray on Thursday was “honoured as United Way Ottawa’s community builder of the year.” Murray “modestly accepted the charity’s highest honour ... sharing the credit with the players and staff of the hockey club.” The United Way “awards the title annually to a person who makes Ottawa a better place to live.” The organization said that Murray’s public battle with colon cancer while “still remaining committed to the hockey club has made him an example of ‘unselfishness, perseverance and dedication.’” Murray said that bringing his diagnosis into the public eye "was not a personal choice, but a way to help others” (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 5/29).
