Assisting the Italian Team Makes Murdoch Feel Like a King for a Day

Bob Murdoch, an assistant coach of the Italian Olympic hockey team, has no illusions about his team’s remote prospects of advancing past the preliminary round to join the “Big Six” hockey powers in the medal round.

“Some people ask me why we even bother, since with the introduction of NHL players into the Olympics there will be no more miracle on ice,” said Murdoch, a former King who coached in Calgary and Winnipeg. “I tell them that’s not the purpose of this. Our guys want to play against the best, against the Wayne Gretzkys and Eric Lindroses. It will be an honor.

“I equate it to my first year in the NHL [1970-71], which was Gordie Howe’s last year [before Howe jumped to the World Hockey Assn.]. I remember going into the corner and he gave me a good elbow to the head. I didn’t want to wash my face for a week. I know it sounds crazy, but when I sit down with my grandchildren and we’re talking, I’ll be able to say Gordie Howe elbowed me. These guys are going to be able to say they played against Gretzky and Lindros and all the rest. It’s a unique experience.”

Murdoch was hired by the Italian team only a few months ago. He had spent the previous three years coaching in Germany and had returned home to Canada only last summer. After being passed over for the Mighty Ducks’ coaching job, he considered retirement to his home in rural Lake on the Woods, Canada, two hours east of Winnipeg.

But when Italian officials called, he found their offer irresistible.

“In a way it’s a dream come true,” he said. “Here I am in the Olympics.”

Murdoch recalls his King career fondly, and he’s happy to see them doing well now.

“I absolutely loved it,” said Murdoch, who played for the Kings from 1973-74 through 1978-79. “Those were the Bob Pulford days. They were great years. And Dave Taylor was one of the young guys then. He and Larry [Robinson] are doing a great job in L.A.”

It would take a near-miraculous performance for the Italian team, which began Group A play Saturday with a 5-3 loss to Kazakhstan, to survive the opening round. Italy, stocked with a dozen Canadians of Italian descent and three Italian Americans, is in the same group with favored Slovakia and Kazakhstan. However, Murdoch considers being in Nagano a major achievement.

“Just sitting there with athletes from 70 countries, it’s a wonderful experience for our players,” he said. “And being able to play against different styles is something they can learn from. This will make them not only better players, but better ambassadors for Italian hockey and for Italy. It’s absolutely wonderful. That’s why I’m here.

“The first people I saw when I walked into the Olympic Village was the Jamaican bobsled team. I wanted to get my picture taken with them. That’s how excited I am to be here.”