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Murphy joins 2,000 game club

April 3, 2019, 10:54 AM ET [1 Comments]
Paul Stewart
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Recently, my close friend Brian Murphy officiated his 2,000th NHL game: 1,912 as a linesman and 88 as a referee. We go way back together. This is how I'd describe Brian: great athlete, devoted pro, excellent linesman, outstanding teammate, even better human being.

It is a great part of my life's history to say that I knew and worked with Murph when he was just starting out in the NHL. Bob's Big Boy has come a long way. Lots of skating and lots of travel away from his family. I congratulate and thank Murph, Lisa, Casey and Shayna for their collective years of sacrifice and dedication to the game.

I treasure Murph as an example of what a dedicated and superior athlete and person can accomplish. Murph is a beacon to emulate for others who love the game and want to be out on that ice. Someday soon, Murph will join Kevin Collins, Bill Chadwick, Bill Stewart Sr. and me in the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Last season, Shane Heyer (who retired at the end of the season) became the sixth NHL linesman (and seventh official, including referee Kerry Fraser) to join the exclusive 2,000-game club. Murph became the seventh linesman to do it. The others are Ray Scapinello (2,500 games, tops among all officials), Ron Finn (2,373), Gerard Gauthier (2,345 games), Randy Mitton (2,109 games), and Leon Stickle (2,069 games). Note: Kevin Collins also made the milestone if playoff games are counted (1,964 regular season and 296 playoff games).

I was fortunate enough in my career to work with all of these men. Different personalities, different styles. The common denominator: It takes a whole lot dedication and skill to have that sort of longevity.

In Murph's case, he has spent roughly five-and-a-half years of his life in hotel stays alone. He's traveled countless miles from game to game. He's worked through injuries and illness. Through it all, he's maintained an enviable standard of work and, not coincidentally at all. remains in excellent physical condition. Players respect him for his integrity, and he's among the deans of officials among his brethren in stripes.

A top-notch linesman helps the entire officiating team better; Brian does that for his partners. Speaking both professionally and personally, Brian has always been there for me; has seen me at my best and my worst. We've been through so many good times together -- I've told some of my favorite Murph stories on past blogs -- and tried to help each other through tough times.

Plain and simple, I'm honored to call him my friend. Murph has also had a lot to deal with emotionally off the ice, and always remained a consummate pro. Last year, he made good on one of his non-hockey ambitions to further his education, obtaining his MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

Brian Murphy also believes in giving back to the game and serving the officiating profession. He has been involved with the USA Hockey officiating development program for over 30 years. He served on the NHL Official Association executive board from 1994-1999 and 2004 to 2013 and was NHLOA President for eight years (2005-2013).

Way back on Oct. 7, 1988, Murph made his NHL officiating debut in Washington (Capitals vs. Penguins). He became a full-time NHL linesman starting in 1990-91, and also trained and worked as a referee at the beginning of the two-referee system.

He made his NHL debut not long after on October 7th, 1988 in Washington when the Pittsburgh Penguins were in town to play the Capitals. He was promoted to full-time NHL linesman status in the summer of 1990. He's worked two World Cup of Hockey tourneys, a Winter Classic and in the Stanley Cup Finals nine times (1995,1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2013, 2015, 2016 & 2017).

Ponder this: Think about all of the players, coaches and officials who have come through pro hockey -- active careers beginning and ending -- in the years that Murph has been in the league. He's still going. That's not by happenstance.

Do you love hockey, and want to stay involved in the game? Do you want to help continue the legacy that men like Brian and Gerry Gauthier and Kevin Collins have forged? Try officiating. It works if you will.

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A Class of 2018 inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games. Today, Stewart is the director of hockey officiating for the ECAC.

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