Blue Jackets’ PA announcer Greg Murray Set to Call His Last Game – Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets
If you’ve ever attended a Blue Jackets game at Nationwide Arena, there was always one familiar voice that greeted the fans. Assuming the team gets at least one power play that night, the catchphrase “Jackets ON THE POWER PLAY” will stick with you from that night on.
On Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena, that famous voice will call one last game before hanging up his microphone forever. Greg Murray, PA announcer for the Blue Jackets, will leave after calling more than 1,000 NHL games. He is the only PA announcer the team has needed so far.
Murray was named the PA announcer for the Blue Jackets in the late 90s as the team was starting out as an NHL franchise. Although he never thought of himself as a potential PA announcer, a former colleague convinced him to say it. The rest is history.
Despite his power play calling, most fans think of Murray every time the Blue Jackets are welcomed onto the ice. “Welcome to the ice of your Columbus, BLUE JACKETS.” Until this season, what followed was the sound of a cannon being fired.
From the Top
Murray gets to do something that not many people get the chance to do. He gets out on his terms. He is popular in the community. He is also a favorite within the Blue Jackets.
Despite the fact that the Blue Jackets were eliminated on Monday night when the Flyers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout, several players we spoke to managed to smile. Why? Because of what Murray said to the group.
“Iconic,” captain Boone Jenner said of Murray. “Every home game and every power play call, he has a lot of good times in this building with me. We’ll miss him. He’s a big part of the Blue Jackets here. I’m sure every fan, if you say that to them, they’ll know exactly who he is and how to say it. He’s a great guy. Wish him all the best in his next retirement.”
“He’s been here since I got here so I love him,” Adam Fantilli said of Murray. “Amazing voice. I love hearing him come on the comm and say that. It means we’ve got a great opportunity here. Great job. Obviously you don’t want to see someone leave the game but he should be proud of his work and it means a lot to the city and to us. So I’m happy for him.”
“Very good,” said Kirill Marchenko. “He’s an amazing person. I didn’t know him personally but it’s a great memory and a great memory for the team.”
Eternal Memories
Aside from his famous catchphrases, Murray is like many things. Every time he announced Jenner’s name, the crowd chanted “Booooooone” in unison.
When singer Leo Welsh was introduced, the crowd chanted “LEO.” But then remember the 2019 Lightning sweep. Murray got to call several memorable goals. The National Arena was packed with Murray giving everyone the memories of a lifetime as the team completed its first playoff series win. Murray didn’t leave the rink until everyone had finally left. It was a moment 20 years in the making.
Murray recently spoke about his time with the Blue Jackets on ABC 6 in Columbus.
Aside from his impact on the Blue Jackets, Murray is a champion of the community. He hosts an annual golf tournament benefiting the Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Association. You can still hear him on the radio at 104.9 the River on weekends.
Tuesday night is the end of the season for the Blue Jackets. For more than two decades, Murray became a household voice for a generation of hockey fans. He was respected and honored by all who knew him.
Murray will continue to be around the ranks. Only this time, he’ll be in the stands cheering on the Blue Jackets with the same passion and energy he’s had behind the microphone. Whoever comes next will have big shoes to fill. Murray’s iconic voice will live in the hearts of Blue Jackets fans for a long time.
