Glen Murray

Lumbering Glen Murray was a dangerous scorer at the turn of the 21st century. The Halifax native started his career in Boston and Pittsburgh (parts of six seasons), moved on to Los Angeles where he emerged as a 30 goal threat when healthy, before returning to Boston and emerging as a star alongside Joe Thornton.

Murray joined the Bruins early in the 2001-02 season. He added 35 goals in Boston, adding to the 6 he scored in LA for a total of 41 goals. The next season he went on to register 44 goals and 92 points the next season.

"There's a guy who never cheated the system. He brought the maximum of his abilities and was a very, very respected hockey player," said former NHL coach Jacques Demers, a clear admirer of Murray's.

"I didn't know him personally, but I knew him as a player and respected him. When we played against certain players, we'd try and make sure they didn't get the puck around the circle from the blue line in, and he was one of them. He wasn't the greatest skater, but he was a big man and extremely dangerous with the puck. He could score from anywhere."

It must have been very vindicating for Murray to return Boston and be a top marksman. When he originally arrived in Beantown, his size and style of play drew immediate comparisons to none other than Cam Neely. Under the burden of those weighty expectations he left town as a disappointment, but he came back as an all star game representative.

Murray also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2004 world championships. A former first-round draft pick, he retired following the 2007-08 season with the second-most points ever by a Nova Scotian in the NHL. He scored 337 goals and 314 assists for 651 points in 1009 NHL games. He added another 20 goals and 42 points in 94 Stanley Cup playoff games.

Glen Murray retired after the 2008 season. He returned to California to live though he still has strong personal and business ties in Nova Scotia. He is the owner of the Bridgewater Hotel in Bridgewater, NS.