Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray had eight points in 29 games last season. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Mark Malinowski
2011-07-17 10:15:00

Status: Unrestricted free agent. Former Columbus Blue Jackets center.

DOB: Nov. 6, 1981 In: Selkirk, Man.

First Hockey Memory: "Going on the rink back home and not being able to skate. And getting very frustrated and saying I never wanted to go back (age 4)."

Hockey Inspirations: "I would say my parents, my dad mostly. He coached me growing up and really taught me the game."

Last Book Read: "Currently reading the Andre Agassi biography (Open). It's a good book. It's neat to see other athletes behind the scenes."

Nicknames: "Mur, Mur-Dogg."

First Job: "Worked at a golf course driving range. Picking up the golf balls in the machine."

Current Car: "Yukon GMC."

Greatest Sports Moment: "Probably scoring my first NHL goal, against Anaheim, against Giguere."

Most Painful Moment: "Probably breaking my ankle in college my junior year. Going into the boards, just kind of fell awkward down on it."

Closest Hockey Friends: "I've got a few. A lot of guys I grew up with, playing in the minors and in college. A lot of great people I've met along the way."

Funniest Players Encountered: "Jason Chimera. I roomed with him and he was always a jokester."

Toughest Competitors Encountered: "A lot of guys. I think Toews in Chicago."

Funny Hockey Memory: "Just cutting guys’ skate laces, so when they're ready to go out there, they have to re-do their laces."

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: "Going out there with your skate-guards on."

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: "Golf."

Favorite Uniforms: "Probably our blue. (Second favorite?) I don't know. There's a lot of good ones, a lot of bad ones (laughs)."

Favorite Arena: "Probably Montreal."

People Qualities Most Admired: "Honesty, hard work, dedication."

Mark 'Scoop' Malinowski is the author of "Heavyweight Armageddon: The Tyson-Lewis Championship Battle" and creator of two websites: www.thebiofile.com  and www.tennis-prose.com.