Anaheim Ducks executive vice president and general manager Bob Murray has resigned from his post and will enter an alcohol abuse program, the team announced Wednesday.
The news comes one day after Murray was placed on administrative leave due to “an ongoing investigation related to professional conduct.”
Vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager Jeff Solomon has assumed interim general manager duties.
“First and foremost, we apologize on behalf of the organization to anyone affected by misconduct from Bob. We expect every member of our organization to be treated with respect and will not stand for abuse of any kind,” team owners Henry and Susan Samueli said in a statement. “Bob tendered his resignation this morning, while also informing us of his decision to enter an alcohol abuse program. While we do not condone his conduct, we fully support his efforts to improve his physical and mental health by asking for help.
“We will now begin a methodical, extensive search for a permanent General Manager to lead us forward. We expect to complete this process no later than next summer.”
Murray, 66, was the third-longest tenured general manager in the NHL after being promoted to the role in 2008. He had been with the Ducks organization since 2005 and was part of the front office when the club won the Stanley Cup in 2007.
“I want to apologize to anyone adversely affected by my behaviour,” Murray said in a statement. “I vow to make changes to my life, starting with enrolling in a treatment program. I want to thank Henry and Susan Samueli, and Michael Schulman, as working for them has been one of the highlights of my career. As I step away from the Ducks, I will focus my attention on where it should be: improving my life for the betterment of my family and friends.”
Shortly after the Ducks announced Murray’s departure from the organization, the NHL released a statement applauding the former GM for seeking help but condemning him for actions reported to the league’s anonymous hotline.
“We support the decision by Bob Murray to resign his position as General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks,” the NHL’s statement reads. “While we understand that he is seeking appropriate counseling and treatment for his personal issues, there is no excuse and there is no place in our League for the type of behaviours that was recently reported through the NHL Hotline.
“We thank the Ducks organization for its prompt and appropriate response to the Hotline reports. The League and its Clubs are committed to a safe and welcoming workplace across the NHL and will continue to take any and all action necessary to achieve that goal.”
