Graeme
Murray

Graeme Murray was one of the key veterans on the Canadian sledge hockey team which won the bronze medal at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. A few months later in October 2014, Murray announced his retirement from the national team.

He represented Canada at four Paralympics and five IPC World Championships. He scored the winning goal in Canada’s 1-0 victory over the U.S. in the gold medal final at the 2013 IPC World Championships. At the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, he was the youngest player on the Canadian team and ranks the Paralympic gold medal won four years later in Turin as the highlight of his career.

Murray became a paraplegic after he contracted a virus at age three that attacked the nerves in his lower spine. Following his illness he was told he might never play sports at all. But he persevered and at age 11 he discovered sledge hockey. It was love at first sight, and four years later at age 15 he became a member of the Canadian men’s team.

Off the ice, Murray is a motivational speaker and talks regularly to students throughout Canada about his experiences on and off the ice.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Four-time Paralympian (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)… Paralympic Games champion in 2006… World champion in 2008 and 2013…

PERSONAL

FAMILY: He is a second cousin to Steve Shutt, a five-time Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. He is the son of Angus and Bernene and has three sisters.

GETTING INTO THE SPORT: He began playing in 1995 at age 11 for the Elmvale Bears.

ODDS AND ENDS: Favorite NHL player is Steve Downie and his favorite team the Toronto Maple Leafs… Enjoys skiing, wakeboarding… Has a Bachelor of Arts from Laurentian University through Georgian College.