Coquitlam Adanacs big No. 10 - Bruce Murray - is retiring.
The longtime senior A Adanacs captain will be recognized for his long service to the Western Lacrosse Association franchise at Coquitlam’s final home game against the Nanaimo Timbermen on Saturday at the Coquitlam Sports Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.
Murray joined the Adanacs in 2005 in a multi-player trade.
Born in New Westminster, Bruce played all of his minor and junior lacrosse in Coquitlam. In 1996, he was named the Junior A league’s most inspirational player. The next year, he was co-winner of the John Urban award as top graduating player and winner of the McEachern Trophy as the most sportsmanlike player.
Murray was named to the league’s second all-star team both years. His Jr. A regular season stats included 61 goals and 115 assists for 176 points and 185 PIM in 98 games, highlighting his skills on transition.
Murray was selected in the first round of the 1999 WLA draft by the New Westminster Salmonbellies. He was named to the league’s first all-star team in 2003 and, as an Adanac, to the WLA second all-star team in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the first all-star team again in 2012.
His WLA stats through last season include 54 goals and 130 assists for 184 points plus 381 PIM. Last season, he was awarded the league’s Maitland Trophy for best exemplifying outstanding play, sportsmanship and assistance to minor lacrosse.
Bruce played three pro seasons for the National Lacrosse League’s Vancouver Ravens, one for the Anaheim Storm, two for the Arizona Sting, three for the Colorado Mammoth and one in Edmonton. His NLL stats include eight goals, 45 assists, 142 PIM and 268 loose balls retrieved in 146 games.
Murray says that the most influential people in his lacrosse career were his first coach, Tom Bevan, and former Adanac and Salmonbellies player and coach, Frank Nielsen.
