The Roots of Douglas Murray

by Mr. Plank on Nov 30, 2009 3:31 AM PST in Special Features Comment 24 comments

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

Received an interesting email over the weekend about Douglas Murray's grandfather that helps flesh out how our Swedish defenseman grew into his style of play.

Lars Bjorn was a hulking Swedish defenseman in the 1950s and 1960s. He was nicknamed "Lasse," Swedish for "menace," because he was never afraid to impose his physicality upon his opponent. He was fearless of any opponent, including the aggressive Canadians

Bjorn and defensive partner Roland Stotlz dominated the Swedish Elite League with Djurgarden for the better part of both decades, leading the team to 9 Swedish championships.

- Joe Pelletier, Greatest Hockey Legends

Murray is the most physical defenseman San Jose has had since Bryan Marchment, and it's no surprise that he is able to trace those ideals back to his grandfather. There has been countless times over the last four seasons where someone has tried to take a run at him in open ice only to end up with an excellent view of the rafters-- you'd be hard pressed to find a specific player who has knocked him off his skates twice throughout his career. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find five different players who have done it once. And it looks like his grandfather played hockey the exact same way.

"Lasse" is currently 77 years old and was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998. It would be interesting to see if Murray trained with his grandfather, or still talks to him about the finer points of the game-- something tells me there's a good chance this is the case considering the circumstances, and with Nicklas Lidstrom backing Murray's inclusion onto the Swedish roster for the upcoming Olympic games, hopefully Lars can give him a few pointers about the particulars of international play. Not that he's unfamiliar with the territory.

The full piece by Mr. Pelletier goes into more depth on Lars Bjorn, along with a great story about the time he had to sing the Swedish national anthem. Another family tie-in, this time with with Douglas' Uber Tap investment?

We're not ruling it out.

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Aside from the hitting

the guy absolutely manhandles people behind the Sharks net. He can push anyone off of the puck without any momentum and with just sheer upper body strength.

I hope he is a Shark for life.

by SanJoseLandShark on Nov 30, 2009 7:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Excellent

I can see the comparisons to Bryan Marchment, cause Lars sounds like a Swedish Marchment. 2 generations later, Crankshaft is continuing the tradition, minus the overtly illegal hits at every opportunity.

CUIDADO: Estoy Borracho!

by joe579 on Nov 30, 2009 8:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Physics

Crankshaft seems to defy physics, at least for a layman like myself. How in the holy hell does he chip the puck, absorb the hit and then somehow lay out the crashing skater? He’s like re-bar that snaps back. Love the dude.

I'll drink that! oh...I'll drink TO that.

by theneverman on Nov 30, 2009 8:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's endlessly amusing

To see forward after forward continue to try to hit him just to wind up on their ass.

During the Stars game this year when I was listening to their announcers they were talking about a game last year when Steve Ott had tried to hit Murray a couple times only to end up on his ass. Apparently he’d come back to the bench and told the guys that he’s sorry, but he’s not going to try and hit number 3 anymore, it just doesn’t work.

I love Doug Murray, he’s certainly unique amongst the Sharks.

by Evilducks on Nov 30, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha, brilliant. You’d think more players would come to Ott’s realization. And yet he still gets new forwards every game who want to take a run at the champ. It makes for amuzing hockey!

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 30, 2009 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Douglas Murray is quickly becoming one of my favourite sharks

He doesnt take stupid penalties, I think that may be his biggest upside. For a guy that is so physical, he always picks his spots well. I wish he would pick a few more spots but I guess being defensively responsible dictates how physical you can be without taking 2 minutes for Crankshafting.

"iaT"S FUCKINGE LIEK CONICO DO MAYO!!!!!111"
Mr. K. 5/5/2009

by Morti on Nov 30, 2009 9:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Murray hits so hard

Your grandfather feels it. Now we know why. Whenever Douglas Murray hits someone, Lasse goes and hits their grandfather.

THAT’S how hard Douglas Murray hits.

They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn

by ElvisVF101 on Nov 30, 2009 9:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I got to say that if I’ve seen an improvement in the way one guy plays this season, I’d have to name Murray on that list. We all know Thornton can wrack up assists like there is no tomorrow, we also know Patty can score in bunches. But it’s Murray who surprised me the most so far.

Very interesting find about his roots.

by Ivano27 on Nov 30, 2009 11:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

AWESOME

I loved this. Bjorn gives me images of a seven foot tall Swedish mountain man with a huge beard who wields lighting bolts and hockey sticks. Those who anger him immediately feel his wrath!

The rumours are true. Murray is descended from Nordic Gods.

by dan_hileman on Nov 30, 2009 12:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Really happy

that he’s rounded out into the player he has. When he first broke into the league with the Sharks, he seemed to be a player whose entire game was only based around being physical. Throughout the years, he’s learned not to sacrifice his defensive responsibilities to lay out a big hit. Now he’s a beast and plays good defense.

Scary.

Hope he gets the nod for Vancouver.

Puck Daddy: You would definitely hate the Ducks more than you'd hate the Kings, right?
Joe Pavelski: Yeah, definitely.

by DownRUpLYB on Nov 30, 2009 1:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I heart Murray

"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra

by 49er16 on Nov 30, 2009 3:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Murray's awesome.

In the history of Douglas Murray has he ever been hit? I can’t recall any…

-The dude responsible for this mess

by idunno723 on Nov 30, 2009 3:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've seen him hit a couple times

Even successfully occasionally.

Even then it’s only by big players and only once. I’ve never seen him layed out, but I’ve seen him take some big hits in the corner, like you’d expect a good dman to from time to time.

by Evilducks on Nov 30, 2009 3:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Douglas Murray only gets hit when Douglas Murray wants to get hit…just to know what it feels like. Then he laughs at the puny attempts to hit him and dishes out more PAIN!

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 30, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In other news

Just looked on capgeek and noticed McGinn got shipped down to Worcester. Way to reward a guy for getting a goal…

/sigh

Curse you Woosta shuttle!

by Evilducks on Nov 30, 2009 5:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure he’ll be back before the game tomorrow…

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 30, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I’ll be even more upset if that’s the case.

by Evilducks on Nov 30, 2009 5:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh the games that are played to give the Sharks cap room. Otherwise it means Shelley or Staubitz are back, right? And I’d think McLaren would be the one sent down if that was the case. Who else could fill in for McGinn?

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 30, 2009 6:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think..............

McGinn should have been playing in last years playoffs. I don’t think he got off to the best start this season……like first few games……but he has been incredible the last 10 or so….he should be up on the team for good in my opinion……unless they want him to pad his AHL stats in Wooooooooooster.

by SanJoseLandShark on Nov 30, 2009 7:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They keep in contact

It would be interesting to see if Murray trained with his grandfather, or still talks to him about the finer points of the game…

(Murray wears #3 in honor of ‘Lasse’)
“My grandfather was very involved when I was a kid playing hockey,” said Murray. “He would take me to the rink and watch my games. He was a big influence on me.” – story

“I follow Elitserien as best I can, and by my grandfather (Lars Bjorn, a former hockey player) but also via the Internet.” – blog

"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.

by SwisherThresher on Nov 30, 2009 9:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs