Blackhawks radio analyst Troy Murray announces he has cancer

Blackhawks radio analyst Troy Murray announced through the team Monday that he has cancer. Murray did not reveal what type of cancer or whether he’ll join John Wiedeman in the WGN booth at the start of next season.

“With the love and support of my family, friends, the Wirtz family, the Chicago Blackhawks organization and WGN radio I’m confident that together, we will beat this,” Murray, 59, said in a statement. “I look forward to being in the booth calling Blackhawk games in front of the most passionate and energetic fans in all of hockey. My family and I appreciate privacy during this time as we fight this challenge.”

Murray has been a part of the Blackhawks’ broadcast teams since 1999, when he was a studio analyst for Fox Sports Net Chicago. He became the radio analyst in 2003, when The Score carried the Hawks. The team moved to WGN in 2008.

“Troy Murray has the full support of the Chicago Blackhawks organization as he begins his treatments,” Blackhawks CEO Danny Writz said in a statement. “He was a tough player on the ice and is as passionate as they come in the broadcast booth. We know he will fight cancer with the same vigor that has endeared himself to so many.

“The entire Blackhawks family will be right beside Troy, offering whatever support and care that he, his wife, Konnie, and his children, Blake, Julia and Phoebe need, every step of the way. At this time, we ask to respect the privacy of Troy and his family and to keep them all in our thoughts.”

Murray was a third-round draft pick of the Hawks in 1980, and he played in 12 of his 15 NHL seasons for them. His best came in 1985-86, when he was the first Hawk to win the Selke Award, which goes to the NHL’s top defensive forward. That year, he set career highs in goals (45), assists (54) and points (99).

A five-time 20-goal scorer, Murray appeared in 915 career NHL games, scoring 584 points (230 goals, 354 assists) and drawing 875 penalty minutes while playing for the Hawks, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Colorado. He also appeared in 113 playoff games, recording 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) and 145 penalty minutes.

Murray was a member of Colorado’s Stanley Cup championship team in 1996.