LA Kings Fire Murray

With the Los Angeles Kings languishing in fourth place in the Pacific and losing their last four consecutive games, the team fired head coach Terry Murray today. Kings assistant coach John Stevens will assume interim head coach duties.

Murray, 61, began his head coaching tenure with the Kings in 2008-2009 and compiled a 139-106-30 regular season record during his time in Los Angeles.  Among franchise head coaches, Murray ranks third in wins (139), fourth in games coached (275), and first in winning percentage (.560).

Murray reached the 100-win mark faster than any other coach in Kings history.  He also helped lead the Kings to the playoffs the past two seasons.  The Kings recorded 199 total points from 2009-10 to 2010-11 – the most ever in two consecutive seasons by the franchise.  The Kings under Murray also enjoyed 46 wins in 2009-10 and 2010-11, which ties the franchise record for most wins in a season.

However, this season the Kings have struggled offensively, showing little ability to score.  The team added salary and several players with the expectation of improving the Kings' offense, but thus far those moves have not succeeded.

Stevens, 45, is in his second season with the Kings organization, having been named a team assistant coach prior to the 2010-11 season.  He will be the 23rd head coach in Kings history.

Prior to joining the Kings, Stevens served as the head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers (2006-09) and had a 120-109-34 record, while leading the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.  Following that season, The Hockey News honored Stevens with their Coach of the Year award.

Before his NHL coaching tenure, Stevens was the head coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms (the Flyers’ AHL affiliate) for six years (2000-01 through 2005-06).  His Phantoms were 230-181-69, made the playoffs four times and won the Calder Cup Championship in 2005.  He also served as an assistant coach with the club in 1998-99 and 1999-00.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald