Murphy Signs a Multi-Year King Contract

The Kings signed Mike Murphy Wednesday to a multi-year contract as head coach, four months after Murphy took over the position from Pat Quinn at midseason.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Murphy, 36, was the Kings’ assistant in charge of special teams when he was thrust into the head coaching position after Quinn was suspended from coaching in the National Hockey League in January.

Under Murphy, the Kings had a 13-21-4 record and finished fourth in the Smythe Division. The Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs. The Kings failed to make the playoffs in 1985-86.

“He’s going to be a tremendous coach for us; he knows the club very well,” King General Manager Rogie Vachon said. “He had our team very well prepared for the playoffs, except for one game. He’s a hard worker.”

Murphy played 10 seasons with the Kings as a right wing, and was team captain for six seasons. He had 194 goals and 262 assists in 673 career games with the Kings. He retired from playing in October of 1983, and served briefly as a King scout from November of 1983 to January of 1984.

Murphy was an assistant to King Coach Roger Neilson, who took over in January of 1984.

Murphy and his wife, Yvonne, have four children. He expressed relief that his family will not be uprooted. Murphy also is excited about the prospect of running the team for a full season.

“I’m looking forward to having a chance to coach the team from the start,” Murphy said. “I think at the end, the team was comfortable with me and knew what I wanted. I’ve already gone through all that.”

After some initial speculation that the Kings would seek a more experienced coach, Vachon said last month that he wanted to sign Murphy. However, as the Kings were battling the Oilers in the playoffs, Vachon said that management and Murphy were far apart and that both money and terms were problems.

It is thought that Murphy wanted a long-term contract, perhaps three years and an option. The Kings were interested in a shorter contract, perhaps two years and an option.

The signing of Murphy does not complete the King coaching staff. The Kings are still negotiating with goaltender coach Phil Myre. Vachon said he is “very close” to signing Myre.

One rumor was put to rest Wednesday. Butch Goring, a popular former King, had been rumored to be a candidate for the vacant King assistant coaching position. Goring, a center, has been out of hockey and living in Boston, where his home is for sale.

However, Murphy said he is interested in hiring a defensive specialist.

“I’d like to see us spend more time on our defensemen and defensive skill development,” Murphy said. “Our priority is to hire someone who has played defense at this level and can teach at this level.”

King Notes Rogie Vachon said he signed Bob Bourne to a one-year termination contract. Bourne, who was picked up by the Kings in the waiver draft, was on a termination contract last season. . . . The Kings will not re-sign winger Morris Lukowich. Lukowich was on a termination contract. . . . Vachon said he expects Luc Robitaille, who is entering an option year, to renegotiate. After Robitaille’s excellent rookie year, Vachon admitted Robitaille has a “pretty good bargaining position.”