Murray, Taylor Check Junior Achievement

While the rest of the Kings’ traveling party is in Edmonton today, General Manager Dave Taylor and Coach Andy Murray will spend the day off in and around Salmon Arm, Canada, where Murray is co-owner of a junior team.

Murray’s lifelong friend, Garry Davidson, won $1 million Canadian, tax free, in the British Columbia lottery two years ago. He and Murray then partnered with a Salmon Arm businessman, Don Gervais, and paid $150,000 for an expansion team in the British Columbia Hockey League.

Davidson, who grew up with Murray in the tiny Canadian town of Souris, about 2 1/2 hours southwest of Winnipeg, is the coach and general manager of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, who wear the same colors as the Kings.

Murray’s 18-year-old son, Brady, is the team’s No. 2 scorer in his first season in the league.

Already committed to the University of North Dakota next season, Brady Murray is projected as a second- to fourth-round pick in the 2003 NHL draft.

Taylor will be on hand to scout Brady and other prospects in tonight’s game against the Vernon Vipers at Vernon, Murray to check on his son -- and his investment.

“We made a little money last year,” the King coach said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

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Adam Deadmarsh sat out Thursday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks because of “an accumulation of things,” Murray said, mentioning wrist and neck injuries. With Mikko Eloranta on injured reserve because his left knee is still on the mend, defenseman Brad Norton was used as a forward.