Bryan Murray, Ottawa Senators GM, diagnosed with cancer

Bryan Murray, the Ottawa Senators' general manager, has been diagnosed with cancer, the team announced Monday.

“Mr. Murray is undergoing further testing and will begin treatment immediately for this condition as prescribed by the team’s doctors in collaboration with specialists," read a statement issued by the team.

Treatment may require Murray's periodic absence, the team said, during which time assistant general managers Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee will be responsible for managing hockey operations.

"On behalf of the entire Senators family, the team is asking that the thoughts, prayers and support of the entire hockey community are with Bryan and his family," the statement said, adding that there will be no further comment.

Longtime Ottawa 67s coach and manager Brian Kilrea said he has no doubt Murray will stay on top of what's happening around the team and league, even during his treatment.

"I’m sure the fighter that he is, he’ll still be able to function and do some of those things while he’s being attended to," Kilrea said. 

"You don’t have to worry about Bryan.”

The type of cancer Murray has been diagnosed with was not specified.

32 consecutive seasons in the NHL

Murray, 71, has been general manager of the Senators for seven years, and the 2013-14 season was his 32nd consecutive season in the NHL.

This past season, he signed a contract extension to stay on as GM until the end of the 2015-16 season, and then stay with the team as an adviser.

Before becoming GM, Murray was hired as the fifth Senators head coach in 2004. In 2007, he led Ottawa to its first appearance in a Stanley Cup Final series before losing in five games to the Anaheim Ducks, according to a bio on the Senators website.

Originally from Shawville, Que., Murray came to the Senators from Anaheim, where he had served as the Ducks’ senior vice-president and general manager. 

The 2013-14 season was Murray’s 20th as a general manager after serving four years with the Detroit Red Wings, from 1990 to 1994, six-plus seasons with the Florida Panthers, from 1994 to 2000, and two seasons with Anaheim, from 2002 to 2004.

Murray and his wife, Geri, have two daughters, Heide and Brittany. His nephew Tim is general manager of the Buffalo Sabres.

On mobile? Click here to see some of the support Murray's been getting online this afternoon.