Murray Armstrong

Nicknamed "The Chief"

Denver University selected the right man.  The man, known as "The Chief," moved to Denver following a ten year career in the NHL, where he was a center for the NY Americans, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings.  The legendary former hockey coach at the Denver University, was born on New Years Day in 1916.  Armstrong had given himself three years to build an NCAA champion. 

He reached that goal in 1957-58.  He went on to win five national championships as coach in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968 & 1969.

  Armstrong stepped down from the Pioneers bench in 1977 and handed over one of his most talented squads to his former player and assistant coach Marshall Johnson.

 A life size bronze statue of Murray Armstrong at the Ritchie Center   ⇒

Interviewed by:  Rob Armstrong

Filmed and Edited by: Josh Wallace

Quote - "I think I was a good recruiter.  When I'd check on a player and go to (his) teacher or coach and they'd say, 'He's a good student and a good player, but' . . . the minute they'd say but, I lost interest.  In the 21 years that I was at the University of Denver, I never once had to go to the police for anything that my players had done.  That pleased the daylights out of me."

Filmed: February 14th, 2009

Posted: March 9th, 2009