Matthew Murray Bio
Matthew Murray (born May 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League. Murray was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round, 83rd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and made his professional debut in 2014. He won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017 early in his NHL career, and his career since has included notable highs in playoff performance as well as recurring injuries.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Murray was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, and raised there while developing through the local minor hockey system. He played AA hockey early in his youth before moving up to the Thunder Bay Kings AAA program where he compiled strong numbers in minor midget, including a 2.28 goals-against average and six shutouts in a season that led to an OHL Cup appearance. Murray’s strong junior performance in Thunder Bay led to his selection in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Murray developed his game in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, where his play attracted NHL attention and resulted in an entry-level contract. On September 4, 2013, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, beginning his path through the professional ranks. His junior and early professional milestones established him as a goaltender with a combination of size, technical skill and competitive poise.
Path to Hockey
Murray progressed from minor hockey in Thunder Bay to major junior competition in the Ontario Hockey League, a common development route for Canadian players reaching the NHL. His time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds served as the bridge from prospect to professional, producing the performances that prompted the Pittsburgh Penguins to sign him and assign him to their AHL affiliate. That transition allowed Murray to refine his positional play, rebound control and work with professional coaching staffs.
In the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Murray’s results were immediate and record-setting, earning league recognition that accelerated his pathway to the NHL. His AHL rookie season included multiple shutouts and league awards, highlighting his rapid adaptation to professional hockey and readiness for NHL opportunity.
Matthew Murray Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Murray began his professional playing career in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2014–15 and produced a standout rookie season. He set an AHL record for the longest shutout streak at 304 minutes and 11 seconds and finished the regular season with 12 shutouts, sweeping major rookie honors including selection to the AHL First All-Star Team and the AHL Rookie Team.
Those AHL accomplishments earned Murray NHL call-ups and set expectations for his eventual role with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The quality of his early professional work led to his NHL debut on December 19, 2015, and positioned him as a contender for postseason duty during the following playoff season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Breakthrough (2015–2017)
Murray made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 19, 2015, and rose to prominence in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He became the youngest goaltender in Pittsburgh Penguins history to start a postseason game when he debuted in April 2016, allowing one goal in his first playoff start and recording his first playoff shutout two days later in a 5–0 win over the New York Rangers.
He retained the starting position through the 2016 playoffs and backstopped the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup that year, posting strong save percentage and goals-against average numbers across the run. Murray followed that success with another Stanley Cup title in 2017, becoming the first goaltender to win back-to-back championships in his first two NHL seasons, and he recorded an extended playoff shutout streak that became a highlight of his early career.
Following those championship runs, Murray continued to play a leading role for Pittsburgh but began to encounter injuries, including concussions and a broken hand sustained during international play. Despite interruptions, he recorded his 100th NHL win on October 12, 2019, achieving the milestone in 166 games and ranking among faster goaltenders to reach that mark since the NHL expansion era.
Ottawa Senators Era (2020–2022)
On October 7, 2020, Murray was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jonathan Gruden and a 2020 second-round pick, and he signed a four-year contract extension with Ottawa on October 9, 2020. His time with the Senators included periods as the club’s starter and stretches of struggle as injuries and form issues interrupted consistency.
During the 2021–22 season Murray experienced a difficult start and was placed on waivers before being assigned to the Belleville Senators in the AHL to regain his form. A concussion sustained in March 2022 ended his season early and contributed to Ottawa’s decision-making around goaltending depth, ultimately leading to trade discussions that moved Murray later in the summer.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2022–2025)
The Ottawa Senators traded Murray to the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 11, 2022, as Toronto sought goaltending depth after offseason turnover. Murray opened the 2022–23 season with the Maple Leafs but suffered an adductor injury in October that sidelined him for weeks and then faced further injuries through the season, including a concussion in April 2023 that ended his year.
With Toronto, Murray recorded his first Maple Leafs win on November 15, 2022, against his former team the Pittsburgh Penguins and notched his first Maple Leafs shutout on December 6, 2022, versus the Dallas Stars. He underwent bilateral hip surgery in October 2023 and returned for a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies in April, later signing a one-year extension with the Maple Leafs on July 2, 2024, and spending time with the Marlies before being recalled and returning to NHL action in December 2024 with a victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Seattle Kraken Era (2025–Present)
Matthew Murray signed with the Seattle Kraken as a free agent on July 1, 2025, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2025–26 season. The signing gives Murray an opportunity to re-establish himself at the NHL level following multiple surgeries and rehabilitation stints, and it places him on a club seeking to blend veteran depth with younger goaltending options.
His arrival in Seattle represents the latest chapter of a career that has combined championship pedigree with efforts to return to sustained health and form. The Kraken signing reflects both their interest in veteran playoff experience and Murray’s intent to continue his professional career at the NHL level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Murray combines size at 6 ft 4 in with positional discipline and rebound control that served him well in playoff settings and high-pressure situations. His ability to read shooters and his composure in net were critical during Pittsburgh’s 2016 and 2017 postseason runs, and those strengths remain a foundation as he seeks consistent form after injuries.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Murray’s career include his AHL shutout streak record, the sweep of AHL rookie awards, starting and recording shutouts in NHL playoff competition, consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, and reaching 100 NHL wins in October 2019. His career has also been marked by multiple significant injuries that required surgery and extended recovery periods.
Matthew Murray Career Wins
Murray’s career includes standout performances in the AHL that translated into early NHL playoff success and two Stanley Cup championships. His AHL rookie season awards and NHL postseason shutouts stand among the more verifiable achievements of his playing record, while his NHL regular-season and playoff wins include a 100th career NHL victory on October 12, 2019.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL Murray earned distinction as the Penguins’ starting goaltender during their 2016 playoff run, recording his first playoff shutout against the New York Rangers and helping Pittsburgh capture the Stanley Cup. He again played key games during the 2017 playoffs, contributing to a second consecutive championship and registering extended shutout streaks that set franchise postseason marks.
Murray also reached regular-season milestones such as his 100th NHL win achieved in October 2019, and he finished among league leaders in wins and save percentage during the 2016–17 season before injuries began to affect his availability. His postseason track record remains a defining element of his professional résumé.
Other Wins & Perfromances
At the international level, Murray represented Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and served as Canada’s first-choice goaltender at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he helped Canada to a silver medal. His AHL rookie awards and statistical records also underscore the impact of his early professional performances.
Matthew Murray Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Murray’s family background includes a father of Scottish origin who died in January 2018 and a mother of Dutch origin, details that Murray has publicly acknowledged. He grew up in Thunder Bay, where family and community supported his progression through local minor hockey programs to junior and professional ranks.
Personal Life
Matthew Murray married his high school sweetheart, Christina Sirignano, on June 20, 2019. Public reports list no children, and Murray’s public personal details have centered on his marriage and his recovery from injuries during his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season will mark Murray’s debut with the Seattle Kraken after signing a one-year contract on July 1, 2025. The season represents an opportunity for Murray to demonstrate recovery from prior surgeries and to compete for NHL playing time on a club that values experienced goaltending depth.
Expectations for the 2025–26 season include establishing competition for starts, contributing veteran postseason knowledge to a younger group of netminders, and aiming to translate his proven playoff pedigree into consistent regular-season performance. How Murray manages his workload and health will shape his role and potential impact with the Seattle Kraken in the coming season.