Around this time last year, Leafs netminder Matt Murray underwent season-ending surgery to address issues with his hips. Murray spent the entire 2023-24 campaign on LTIR as a result.
Many had expected the Leafs to walk away from Murray this season, and nobody would have faulted them for it. However, when it was announced that the team had signed Murray to a 1-year extension to act as the team's 3rd-string goaltender, there were more than a few surprised faces out there.
After a lackluster training camp, not only did Murray find himself on waivers, but he also found himself slipping behind rookie Dennis Hildeby on the depth chart, which has led to Murray remaining in the AHL while Hildeby is with the NHL club, collecting his first career NHL win this week.
With Murray having won his first game of the season as a member of the Marlies on Saturday, it created a bit of a unique situation. There's another Matt Murray, who currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals, who also won his first AHL start of the season. This marked the first time in history that two goalies with the same name won their games on the same night in the same league.
While the career accomplishments of the Maple Leafs' Matt Murray are well-known, his counterpart, the 26-year-old Matt Murray, who spent most of his pro career as an American Hockey League goaltender, is more of an unknown commodity. He has played just 4 career NHL games, all with the Dallas Stars.
This situation is certainly a strange one, but entertaining nonetheless. Congrats to both Matt Murrays on their first wins of the season.
POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 13 | 2578 ANSWERS A Bizarre Stat Involving Maple Leafs Goalie Matt Murray Revealed After Saturday's Big Win Will Matt Murray play any games for the Maple Leafs this season? | ||
Yes | 1117 | 43.3 % |
No, he'll stick with the Marlies all year | 1461 | 56.7 % |
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