Murray Oliver

Murray Oliver was born in Hamilton on November 14, 1937. He played in 18 NHL

seasons with 1127 league games. He had 274 goals and 454 assists with a career total of 728 points. He played on the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and

Minnesota North Stars.

Murray Oliver’s career started on the OHA‐B. team Burlington Jr. Bees where he played

for 1 season in 1953‐1954. He was called up twice to play for the Hamilton Tiger Clubs where he got 2 assists. Oliver the next year played for the OHA –Jr. Hamilton Tiger Cats. In his season

he excelled with 5 goals and 13 assists. He made it into the paper 3 times in 1954, once for competing for the big line on Hamilton Tiger Cats on Oct. 26, another for being a lamplight

(unofficial all‐star) in a game on Dec. 3 1954, and the last article about a close defeat where

Oliver scored one of his teams 2 goals on Dec 29. Over Murray’s Next 3 seasons from 1955‐

1958 on the Hamilton Tiger Cats he played a total of 148 games. He got 57 goals, 112 assists, with a total of 169 points. Oliver’s second season he was injured because he only played 5 games on the Hamilton Tiger Cubs. His next 2 seasons he played 52 games each so both full seasons. On February 25, 1958 his picture even made it into the paper. In his final season with the Hamilton Tiger Cubs he was a most valuable player award winner. On February 28 Murray

Oliver’s picture was in the paper with the caption underneath “Murray Oliver and Loot”. Later on in the article underneath it explains how he received 2 awards. In Oliver’s final season he appeared in the paper a number of times. On March 7, 1958 he assisted 3 goals in a playoff game and on March 13 he was in the paper for being injured because they needed a replacement. Oliver was also called up to play on Detroit Red Wings 1 game where he assisted a goal. On October 21, The Star states how Oliver received MVP and was the 3rd highest scoring leader.

Murray Oliver’s other career in baseball as a short stop. He makes it into the paper where it talks about his injury from the Tiger Cubs and how he expects to be assigned to play class ‘D’ baseball. On July 18, he is in the paper because he is signed by the Hamilton Beavers in the Inter‐country Baseball League. Oliver appears in the paper again on the 25th for getting a

double and winning the game. He appeared in the Star for tying up a game with a single. He appeared on the Beavers last Season game on August 18 for getting 2 hits while the team won

8‐0.

For the next season Oliver played on the Edmonton Flyers in the WHL. In one of his first games with the Flyers on Nov 24, 1958 Oliver scored 4 goals and led his team to victory. On

March 5th, Oliver scored a critical goal for the flyers in the second giving them the lead. On Nov

19, 1959 Oliver’s career was saved when he was drafted by the Detroit red wings. A week later on the 28th Oliver again made it into the Star for hitting the Russian Rocket in the face with a puck. Oliver continues to play for Detroit and is in a picture in the Star for going into the

“Rolling Dice” pose. Oliver makes headlines on Dec 18, for scoring the tying and winning goal

against. People believe he could also win the rookie of the year because of his performance so far on the Detroit Red Wings. Murray scored his 8th goal in 15 games on Dec 21 for the Detroit

Red wings. Oliver’s coach brings him up in an interview explaining how the Detroit in holding third place in the season on Jan 9, 1960. On Jan 20, Murray is brought up as one of the favorites to win the rookie of the year award. Oliver almost brought his team to victory on February 12 where he scored twice but lost 3‐2 against the Bruins. At the end of his first season with the Detroit Red Wings in the April 26 Star we are told Oliver finished second in the votes for rookie of the year. For the first time in his second season with the Detroit Red Wings makes the Star on Oct 21 for scoring a goal. This game moves the wings into 3rd place with 7 points trailing 3

points behind the leader. Oliver keeps Detroit in the game against the Leafs on Nov 17, by tying up the game with the only goal on his team. On Dec 29 Oliver and three of his team mates each getting a goal in the third changing the game from a 3‐1 lose to a 4‐3 victory. On Jan 7 1961,

Oliver helped his team win a 4‐3 with over Boston by scoring a goal. On Jan 24 Oliver and two of his team mates are traded to the Bruins.

On Feb 20 Oliver scores one of his first goals for the Bruins play one of his best games. In the new seasons last exhibition game Oliver scores his first season goal on Oct 5. On Nov 17,

Oliver sets up 2 goals changing a 1‐0 defeat into a 2‐1 victory. With 9 assists and no goals Oliver makes it onto the scoring leader’s board in the 43rd position on Nov 22. In Oliver’s second

season with the Bruins in a game against Montreal Oliver contributed with scoring a goal in a losing game. Oliver helps bring his team to victory on Dec 6, scoring one of his teams 5 goals and winning a 5‐4 victory against the Hawks. On Jan 5 1962, Oliver makes headlines as one of

the best trades Bruins General Manage Lynn has ever made. Oliver’s line is changed up on

February 23, and counted as one of the hottest lines in hockey. On March 13, Oliver’s was shown as the second highest points generated in the whole NHL hockey league. According to

the Star on April 13, there are rumors going around that Oliver is going to be traded to the

Toronto Maple Leafs. On December 6, in his 3rd season with the Bruins Oliver makes a small headline by scoring his teams only two goals but still losing. Murray Oliver still a prominent part of his team says the star on Jan 20, 1964 when Oliver got 2 goal and 2 assists for the Bruins. A Major penalty is award to Oliver on Feb 1st, and is noted as one of his first ones and is considered one of the leagues cleanest players. Oliver runs into some trouble when he has a torn knee ligament. Oliver makes headlines as shining on Jan 3 1966, when he scored the Bruins first goal and assisted the other two. On Feb 9, Oliver worries his team as he is yet other one of

his teammates that is injured. Oliver finishes his final season with the Boston Bruins with 116 goals, 216 assists, and 332 points.

Murray Oliver finds out on May 16, 1967 that he is now a Toronto Maple Leaf. Every

Since Oliver has joined the Leafs he had made the TV line‐ups for the night’s game. In Oliver’s first 15 games he scored 4 goals and got 9 assists. At the end of his first season on the Leafs

Oliver scored 16 goals and whipped up 21 assists. In total Oliver scored 44 goals and got 81 assists.

Oliver makes headlines in the Star on May 25, 1970 telling the world how he is the last one to figure out that he has been traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Minnesota wild.

It says his wife heard it on the radio while they were fishing. Oliver still showing his clean behavior as he tries to break up a fight on Jan 15, 1975. Murray Oliver makes headlines as he is forced to retire on Dec 5. Oliver and 200 other player are forced to retire to make more room

for the younger generation.

Bibliography

Gordon Campbell, “Finished Fast Last Year Coach sees cubs improved.” Toronto Star. 26 October 1954; p. 21. John Barrington, “Majors Kick crutch from under Limping Minor League Patient.” Toronto Star. 3 December 1954. p. 26. The Canadian Press, “Teepees keep Pace with Bilts in Race for second place.” Toronto Star. 29 December 1954; p. 13. Gordon Campbell, “Hockey Continues to Pay Penalty For Underestimating Opposition.” Toronto Star. 25 February 1958; p. 16. Gordon Campbell, “Prodigal sons star as Irish put end to Hamilton Streak.” Toronto Star. 28 February 1958; p.20. Milt Dunnell, “ Hamilton Cubs are just a Game Away from Outsing Petes.” Toronto Star. 7 March 1958; p.16. Gordon Campbell, “ Cubs Seek Panagabko for Oliver.” Toronto Star. 13 March 1958; p.33. Gordon Campbell, “Hamilton Cubs could be Surprise team in OHA with Corps of Veterans.” Toronto Star. 21 October 1958; p.17. Bill Entwistle, “Cubs’ Oliver joins Hamilton Beavers.” Toronto Star. 18 July 1958; p. 21. The Canadian Press, “McKay Hits, Hurls For London Win.” Toronto Star. 25 July 1958; p.19. Bill Thompson, “St. Thomas Parties against Oakville.” Toronto Star. 18 August, 1958; p. 17. The Canadian Press, “ Oliver Fires Four Goals and Paces Edmonton to Win.” Toronto Star. 24 November 1958; p.18. The Canadian Press, “Canucks Warriors Lead West’s Semis.” Toronto Star. 25 March 1959; p.64. Milt Dunnell, “Milt Dunnell Speaking on Sport.” Toronto Star. 19 November 1959; p. 12. The Canadian Press, “Just an Interruption.” Toronto Star. 28 November 1959; p. 36. The Canadian Press, “ Top Rookie? Oliver’s Bid Potent One.” Toronto Star. 18 December 1959; p. 19. Jim Proudfoot, “Leafs Get Big Win Lose Two More Men.” Toronto Star. 21 December 1959; p. 20. The Canadian Press, “Howe Nears Rocket’s Mark.” Toronto Star. 9 January 1960; p.33. Jim Proudfoot, “ Howe is Assured Hart Harvey Has Norris.” Toronto Star. 20 January 1960; p.23. The Canadian Press, “low‐Scoring Gendron Gets His 20th for Hub.” Toronto Star. 12 February 1960; p. 14. The Canadian Press, “Habs Even Grab A Share of Glory In Roockie Award.” Toronto Star. 26 April 1960; p.16. Jim Proudfoot, “Hockey Draws Jar Campbell Probe Is On.” Toronto Star. 21 October 1960; p.10. Red Burnett, “Played the Way We Practised – Like Bunch of Misfits – Olmstead.” Toronto Star. 17 November 1960; p.14. The Canadian Press, “Wings Still Winning Games the Hard Way.” Toronto Star. 29 December 1960; p.16. Jim Proudfoot, “Penalty to Shack For Hurting Howe Looks Like Bad Rap.” Toronto Star. 5 January 1961; p.10. Milt Dunnell, “ Stasiuk, Labine Go to Detroit.” Toronto Star. 24 January 1961; p.10. The Canadian Press, “Boomer, Big Jean Keep Habs Rolling.” Toronto Star. 20 February 1961; p.9. The Canadian Press, “Bruins Best Rangers and hawks Stop Soo.” Toronto Star. 5 October 1961; p.18. Milt Dunnell, “Bruin Yule Early.” Toronto Star. 17 November 1961; p.12. “NHL Scoring Leaders.” Toronto Star. 22 November 1961; p.16. The Canadian Press, “Wings, Bruins Both Happy With Trade.” Toronto Star. 6 December 1962; p.12. Red Burnett, “Oliver Proves Lynn Right.” Toronto Star. 5 January 1963; p.27. Red Burnett, “Williams Rookie Ace But He’s Not Eligible.” Toronto Star. 23 February 1963; p.29. Frank Orr, “Wings Can Decide NHL Pennant Race.” Toronto Star. 13 March, 1963; p.19. Frank Orr, “Ribant Oliver On Opposite Roads.” Toronto Star. 24 April 1963; p.10.