If you’ve ever attended a Blue Jackets’ game at Nationwide Arena, there was always one familiar voice that greeted fans. Assuming the team got at least one power play that night, the catch phrase “Jackets on the POWER PLAY” would stick with you from that night on.
Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena, that legendary voice will call one final game before hanging up his mic for good. Greg Murray, the PA announcer for the Blue Jackets, will step away after calling over 1,000 NHL games. He’s been the only PA announcer the team has had to date.
Murray was named the Blue Jackets’ PA announcer in the late 90’s as the team was starting up as an NHL franchise. Although he never thought of himself as a potential PA announcer, a former coworker convinced him to give it a shot. The rest is history.
Besides his power play call, most fans think of Murray every time the Blue Jackets are welcomed to the ice. “Welcome to the ice your Columbus, BLUE JACKETS.” Until this season, what came next was the iconic sound of the cannon blasting.
Going Out on Top
Murray gets to do something not many people get the chance to do. He gets to go out on his terms. He is beloved in the community. He is also beloved within the Blue Jackets.
Despite the Blue Jackets being eliminated Monday night when the Flyers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout, a couple of the players we spoke to were able to smile. Why? Because of what Murray has meant to this team.
“Iconic,” captain Boone Jenner said of Murray. “Every home game and every power-play call whatever it may be, he’s got so many great moments in this building and with myself. We’re going to 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 it is and how he says it. Tremendous guy. Wish him all the best in his retirement and what’s next for him.”
“He’s been here ever since I got here so I love it,” Adam Fantilli said of Murray. “Iconic voice. I love hearing him come on the comm and say that. It means we got a good chance here. Great career. You obviously don’t want to see anyone leave the game but he should be proud of his career and it means a lot to the city and to us. So happy for him.”
“It’s awesome,” Kirill Marchenko said. “He’s an incredible guy. I didn’t know him on a personal level but it’s for sure a big memory and a big memory for the team.”
Lasting Memories
Besides his famous catch phrases, Murray is synonymous with many things. Every time he announced Jenner’s name, the crowd in unison would yell “Booooooone.”
Upon the introduction of anthem singer Leo Welsh, the crowd would yell “LEO.” But then memories of the 2019 sweep of the Lightning come to mind. Murray got to call several memorable goals. Nationwide Arena was packed with Murray giving everyone a lifetime of memories as the team finished off their first ever playoff series win. Murray didn’t leave the rink until everyone finally left. It was a moment 20 years in the making.
Murray recently spoke about his time with the Blue Jackets to ABC 6 in Columbus.
Besides his impact with the Blue Jackets, Murray is a champion in the community. He hosts an annual golf outing which benefits the Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Association. You’ll still be able to hear him on the radio on 104.9 the River on the weekends.
Tuesday night is truly the end of an era for the Blue Jackets. For over two decades, Murray became the in-house voice for a generation of hockey fans. He had the respect and admiration of everyone that knew him.
Murray will continue to be around the rink. Only this time, it will be in the stands cheering the Blue Jackets on with the same passion and energy he brought behind the mic. Whoever comes next will have big shoes to fill. Murray’s iconic voice will live on in the hearts of Blue Jackets’ fans for a long time.
