Former NHL player homeless, emphasizes long-term effects of concussions

Igor Burdetskiy June 17, 2022

1 2 minutes read

Joe Murphy, a former NHL player and 1990 Stanley Cup winner is living on the streets in Canada.

Murphy should’ve been enjoying a comfortable retirement. He was a former first overall pick — the first U.S. college hockey player to ever be drafted first overall — won the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1990, and enjoyed a 15-season professional career in which he made millions of dollars.

However, when his career ended in 2001, his life changed.

“It’s hard out on the street, and I’ve been out on the street off and on for 10 years,” said Murphy.

Two years ago, TSN found the former winger living in Kenora, Ontario under similar circumstances. It’s believed the concussions he sustained in the NHL led to health problems.

“The concussions I had, I had a couple of them. A couple were really severe,” Murphy said.

His family started to notice a change in his personality.

“You could just see he was starting to do erratic things,” said his sister, Cathy, in an interview with TSN in 2018. “He was starting to do drugs, he was starting to drink. If he didn’t have a brain injury he wouldn’t be doing these drugs.”

Murphy believes the current concussion protocol in the NHL is “excellent”, but it wasn’t the same when he played between 1986 and 2011.

“Back at that point I don’t think they handled it as well,” said Murphy. “You know, the Doctors now are with the team 24/7. Back when I played the Doctor didn’t even travel with the team.”

New studies have revealed that repetitive brain trauma, known as CTE, can lead to impulse control problems and aggression. Murphy compared his concussions to a “slow burn.”

“The concussions kind of just slow you up physically. And then there’s a drain period and I think you get kind of lethargic on them,” said Murphy.

Murphy made it clear he’s trying to get off the streets, but it’s an uphill battle.

“It’s hard, I get into places and there are people fighting,” said Murphy about the low-income housing he frequents. “There’s a lot of drugs, a lot of fights and alcohol.”

The 54-year-old believes his former employer, the NHL, should provide him with assistance.

“It’s a small club, like a country club. There’s not a lot of players in it, so I think they should try to look after all of them and the money’s there to do it,” noted Murphy.

He insisted his issues aren’t the league’s fault, but feels they can offer more help.

“I think they should have some centres, like major cities like Toronto, Montreal, LA, California where players can go into a hockey-only sports rehab facility,” said Murphy.

Murphy said that he came to Saskatchewan to visit a friend in Saskatoon and that it’s his first time in the province. However, he plans on heading back to Ontario when the opportunity presents itself.

“I’m still enjoying life, I love it, I’m kind of moving around, and I’m on the street and I’m in a shelter,” said Murphy. “I just want to get a place where I can get into a steady rental place.”

Murphy’s story initially aired on TSN in the 15-minute 2018 mini-documentary, Finding Murph. Westhead produced the feature, and he’s since detailed the investigation and Murphy’s struggles in a book by the same name.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!