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The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and Bob's Big Boy |
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I was thrilled and proud to see one of my dearest friends, longtime NHL linesman Brian Murphy, take his rightful place in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. We worked many games as officiating teammates, and Murph was one of the very best. I don't think enough folks understand how much a skilled linesman brings to game in terms of play flow, efficiency, accuracy and integrity. The best linesmen make referees' jobs so much more doable.
I worked with many great linesmen over the years. Brian Murphy was one of the best of the best. He's also a true friend and confidant off the ice. That will be for life.
With well over 2,000 games officiated in the NHL, Murph became the dean of NHL linesmen. He has kept himself in outstanding physical condition and is greatly respected not just by fellow officials but by players and coaches leaguewide.
I worked my first game with Murph in Hershey; an exhibition game in 1988. The Quebec Nordiques played the Washington Capitals. We stayed at the Marriott Airport hotel in Harrisburg, PA. Across from the hotel was a restaurant called Bob's Big Boy.
Murph and I sat down and ordered. Funny how you remember details like this. I had a bowl of soup, a salad from the salad bar and a coffee milkshake (frappe). Murph had soup, two trips to the salad bar, and a Bob's Big Boy double cheeseburger with fries. I watched as this 6'2" 240 lb giant of a man noshed all of this food down.
"May I ask a question? Do you always eat like this before a game?"
"Yes", Brian said. "I get kinda hungry."
"Well", I responded, " You keep eating like this and I can get you another job after the NHL lets you go for being overweight."
"Oh, yeah? What's that?" he asked, somewhat incredulously.
"I'll get you a job with Bob's Big Boy, standing on the roof!"
I guess the dialogue had some impact, but the credit goes solely to Brian himself. The Dover, NH native became, bar none, THE FINEST conditioned athlete on the NHL Officiating staff. He maintained it for over 23 years.
You don't last 23 years and over 2,000 games in the NHL if you aren't in shape.
Beyond his superior physical conditioning, Murph developed into an outstanding official from both a technical aspect as well his ability to communicate effectively.
Congratulations, Murph, on an outstanding career. Congratulations, as well, to your wife Lisa and your daughters. Also, I want to thank you for your unwavering friendship off the ice as well as expressing my appreciation for how much you brought to the officiating crew on the ice.
It was a pleasure watching Murph work after my retirement as an active NHL official. I was privileged to attend Brian's final game in the NHL. It's come full circle now, having known him from the start, for Murph to be inducted into the USHHOF. It makes the game's history -- and the Hall -- richer for such an acknowledgement. Now it's the "big" Hall in Toronto's turn, because good linesmen are worth their weight in gold.
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A 2018 inductee into 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.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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