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 (NHL). Murray was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2012 NHL entry draft. In 2016, Murray won his first Stanley Cup championship as the starting goaltender for the Penguins during the playoffs after having replaced then-starter Marc-André Fleury. Murray would split the net with Fleury during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, winning the Stanley Cup again in 2017 and becoming the first goaltender to win back-to-back titles in his first two seasons in the NHL. He has also played for the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. In recent years, his career has been plagued by injuries.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Murray was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He played his minor hockey with the Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association, where he started in the AA ranks before advancing to the Thunder Bay Kings AAA program. During his minor midget season (2009–10), Murray led his team to a 3–2–0 record at the OHL Cup, showcasing his potential as a goaltender. That season, he appeared in 40 games with a 2.28 goals against average (GAA) and recorded six shutouts. His performance earned him a selection in the second round (35th overall) of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Path to Hockey
Murray played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. On September 4, 2013, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking the beginning of his professional career. Murray’s early career was defined by his time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Penguins, where he set an AHL record for the longest shutout streak by not allowing any goals for 304 minutes and 11 seconds during the 2014–15 season. He capped his standout rookie season by sweeping the AHL awards, being selected to the AHL First All-Star Team and Rookie Team while winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the league’s best goaltender and the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as best rookie.
Matthew Murray Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Murray made his NHL debut on December 19, 2015, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. He quickly established himself as a reliable goaltender for the Penguins, making his playoff debut on April 19, 2016, where he became the youngest goaltender in franchise history to start a postseason game. He led the Penguins to their fourth Stanley Cup championship in 2016, posting a .923 save percentage and 2.08 GAA throughout the playoffs. Murray was re-signed by the Penguins to a three-year contract with an annual average salary of $3.75 million following his impressive performance.
Breakthrough (2016–2017)
In the 2016–17 season, Murray continued to shine, recording 32 wins and maintaining a .923 save percentage. His performance earned him a spot on the 2016–17 All-Rookie Team and the 2017 NHL All-Playoff Team. He played a crucial role in the Penguins’ second consecutive Stanley Cup victory, showcasing his skills in high-pressure situations. Murray recorded the longest playoff shutout streak in Penguins franchise history at 225:49 during the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.
Notable Works and Milestones
Murray’s signature work includes his back-to-back Stanley Cup victories with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He has been recognized for his exceptional performance with various accolades, including being nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for exemplifying leadership qualities.
Matthew Murray Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matthew Murray has received several nominations, including the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, recognizing his contributions both on and off the ice.
Matthew Murray Awards Won
Matthew Murray has won multiple awards during his career, including the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s best goaltender and the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the best rookie in the AHL.
Matthew Murray Family
Matthew Murray is married to Christina Sirignano, whom he wed on June 20, 2019.
Personal Life
Murray’s father, who passed away in January 2018, was from Scotland, while his mother is from the Netherlands. He maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, focusing primarily on his career in professional hockey.
