I ran into Joe Murphy outside a convenience story in Regina a few summers back. He was trying to change out of flannel pyjama bottoms into shorts without taking the bottoms off - somehow he accomplished it. He came over and asked me for spare change and I recognized him right away. We chatted for a few minutes and he was super friendly and engaging. I’d just bought a Monster energy drink and he asked to try it - I poured a bit into an empty coffee cup he had, but only after assuring him a couple times that there was no alcohol in it. I felt a little bad asking for a picture with him but I knew no one would believe my story of running into him, but he gladly agreed. A couple weeks later I saw him again in front of the big cathedral downtown and he as was going through some kind of “episode” because he was walking around in circles, talking to himself and waving his arms around. Seeing a former NHL player in that kind of state is still one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen

Fantastic deep dive into Joe Murphy. The NHL should be ashamed, Joe should have been taken out of that game in Detroit and his injury should have been assessed. Maybe if they had caught it early he would have accepted the help he so dearly needed. Fast forward many years and Joe's on the street and refusing help and while you can't FORCE help on someone he is a prime example of brain trauma going undiagnosed and how deep into the fog a person can truly go. I hope Joe can one day find peace and realize he can't and definitly shouldn't go through this alone.

What the fuck… that’s all I could say while watching this. This is heartbreaking.

Thank you for making this. I've watched the Mini doc with Trevor Kidd a couple of times and am impressed that he is so committed to helping Joe, even though he's not a former teammate, but just because he's a former NHL player.

The league should be looking after past, present and future players with these issues. Mortal Sin!!! Shame on the NHL,and his past teams!

Nice job on this video. I'm a fan of hockey. Joe was before my time, but I know the name, as I live in Michigan and am a Wings fan, I'll watch classic games on KZfaq, there are so many now, so I love to get to see old games. One comment on the NHL. Imo, even if you've only played 1 game in the NHL, I believe that you've become part of a familu, guild or brotherhood, and a small one at that in terms of pro sports leagues go. There appears to be a LOT of money to go around in the NHL, and I think the NHL should have the back of all it's current, and former members. I mean, of course you can't put someone through treatment over and over I suppose, that would indicate someone who may not be ready for sobriety, but that's pretty well the only limitation I can see that would be appropriate.

Awesome Work, I Pray for this man everyday

This is a great documentary. Thank you. It is just as much a tribute to a great man who was really dealt a bad card. I loved watching him as a kid with the Oilers. Feisty, super talented on skills, he was creative with the puck and had a lot of toughness and "whatever it takes to win" grit. I met him as a kid and he was a very thoughtful and considerate guy. He was friendly and took an interest in me as a fellow hockey player - by asking me about my position and how my team was doing. He didn't just sign an autograph, he inspired me. I looked up to him. To Joe, I raise my glass in admiration, respect and sympathy. I sincerely hope he finds peace. I'd help him if I could. Surely, with all the millions the NHL has - the game ruined him and it wasn't his fault. It's a liability thing - he provided much entertainment - was hurt bad and it altered him in way that was unrecoverable. It was the early 90's and things were loose - I don't think brain trauma was even a thing then - it was probably like, "just take a couple Tylenol, put some ice on it and come out to practice tomorrow morning and see how you feel." But after the fact - this long after - it's clearly something thing still needs to be done now. He deserves better. There must be a program out there that can truly help him. Good for Trevor Kidd and the others. Pat on the back for trying. Some bigger names and pocketbooks stepping up here would also be nice to see. The NHL should spend a pile on him getting him care and some dignity back. He'll never fade in my eyes as a star and inspiration. Maybe he just needs to be pulled in against his will to be given a new lease. Go Team Joe.

1986 NHL Entry Draft included: 1. Joe Murphy - Detroit Red Wings 2. Jimmy Carson - Los Angeles Kings 6. Vincent Damphousse - Toronto Maple Leafs 9. Brian Leetch - New York Rangers 22. Adam Graves - Detroit Red Wings 81. Ron Tugnutt - Quebec Nordiques Not the strongest draft year so to speak. But what happened to Joe Murphy is indeed a most sad and tragic story that should never have been what it is now.... The NHL and the NHLPA should indeed be ashamed how they turned him down for help.

Nothing but sad. Just awful. Head injuries, drug abuse - probably started with pain pills given by the team. How many times do we have to read about these stories before things change?

Great video! Crazy to know he was drafted 1st overall and this is how things ended up... nuts man! He made 15million in his career (30mil in todays dollars). His highest year was 1998 (3.8mil with bonuses/todays money is over 7million). Sad story

Both the NHL and the NHLPA should be shame-faced. Respect to Adam Graves and Glenn Healy for doing something for the man. To see him treated like so much human refuse is just soul-crushing. Do better.

Great video!

This sucks. He was a stud. They should help him

This is a great video. Thank you for sharing this.

This is good content. Thank you for telling this story.

Very sad story. While quite a few players have died from their brain injuries, Joe seems like he's in a living death with his injury. It leaves a bitter taste watching the adulation for new Rangers rookie Rempe trying to earn a place in the NHL by getting his brains beat in every game. Hopefully he has a better fate.

I remember him well especially his Oilers days. It’s sad to see the sacrifices some athletes end making for their sport. I wish him all the best and hope he gets a hand up

Sad… Thanks for sharing

Even if there wasn’t a thumbnail of him, i automatically knew this was about Joe Murphy! I’ve seen this news of him years ago on another channel!

excellent video...but what was the "severe head injury"? A concussion or something more serious like a fractured skull...I assume he was taken to the hospital after the hit and went through MRI, catscan, etc.

It's so incredibly heartbreaking to see this man suffer like this. Keeping him in thought and prayer.

I remember talking to him after a Flames Hawks game at Chelis Chili bar. He was nice and engaging. Very sad.

Don’t NHL players get a life long pension after playing a minimum of 500 games? Where is his pension money going?

curious why hasn't any of his teamates with teams he played for someone stepped up not let this guy homeless. what a joke the guy in the nhla player said nothing we can do. unreal. when someone asks for help theres always something someone can do. i went and still going thru something. good for trevor kidd

It's business, if you think your company cares about you, good luck with that. Dollars and the bottom line, my father died at work, I went to get his car, it was like he never existed, driving his car back home was brutal, his cigar in the ashtray. RIP Dad.

Great video man good job

That's so sad. We as fans don't know what goes on behind the scenes. His career could've been way different if he had been treated like crosby when he got his head injury.

Can’t imagine why the NHL or an ex team hasn’t stepped up to get this guy right. I remember watching him as an absolute talent.

Excellent job on this. Such a sad story. Hopefully Joe can get the help he needs.

That was really well made. 👍❤️

I saw him in Kenora one summer. I knew it was him right away, this was before the Joe Murphy story with Trevor Kidd. There were already stories and it was known by locals that it was indeed Joe. I didnt approach him, I just watched and left him alone. Growing up as an Oilers fan I couldnt help but feel for him. It was hard to witness one of your Stanley Cup winning heroes living in the streets. Last I heard he moved on and is no longer in Kenora but wherever he is I wish him all the best and hope one day he gets the help he needs.

I live in Winnipeg and this makes me sick Nhl should be ashamed what a disgrace!!

This is right up there with the Beech incident, as funny as U-Tree is, he was very candid and exactly right when he said the NHL has a culture problem. Two traumatic experiences on two fine young men that NHL basically said oops we made a boo boo!

I want to add another thought. I've loved hockey my whole life, and i love sports in general. But i'm at the point where it doesn't make sense at all watching people get serious head trauma. Hockey and Football, Boxing and MMA too... they are absolutely brutal. Every time you cheer for a big hit, you are cheering for someones life potentially being ruined like Joe's in this video. Lots of people would call me soft. But I just can't enjoy watching people sustain brain injuries anymore. Watch the movie Concussion if you want more info...

Great video bro.

Awesome Vid

I have Mr Murphy's rookie card. I will cherish even more now, because of your video. Thank you

Apparently he was living on the streets in Regina Saskatchewan but it’s a sad story man hope he can find the help🙏

I get what your saying and totally agree how horrible this is. Poor Murphy, was such a great talent again like many other pro athletes suffered brain damage. The league absolutely shit the bed with him but at the same time in their defense. This is just how it was in this time. Players would play through absolutely anything unless they physically could not go anymore. It is not like today where they have the concussion protocol. Concussions before even the later 2000s were very much an unknown thing when it came to the damage they can do years after they happen. Having said that though the way that asshole in the nhlpa handled that phone call from a man desperate for help to just say to bad and hang up is absolutely disgusting

Someone should show Matt Rempe this video. Didn't something similar to this happen to Bob Probert?

Kevin Stevens is another one. And Busher Jackson from old times. Its so sad. this is the shit you dont ever think about as a young kid. you get a little older and see the extremely dark side of sports.

Nice job on the video

I don't comment often...But, to the people who have negatively commented...Karma beware! As someone who has loved hockey from very early on in life...this is soo tragic 😢...as a fan of any team...you hate the opponent [figuratively, of course]...as a human being...you s/b, if not already, compassionate to Joe's struggles. The ENTIRE NHL s/b embarrassed by this. ALthough I doubt this would ever happen, I would love each and every NHL franchise to play this video pregame, or between periods...even a condensed or edited version to raise awareness...but that will never happen! As stated, Joe has refused help in these latter stages...but it is never too late to continue trying! Kudos to those who have reached out to help or offered to help. What has transpired previously should not affect what happens now. Not only for Joe Murphy, but for anyone who has suffered injury playing in the NHL, something now w/b better than nothing at all! IMO...Prayers to Joe and anyone affected...❤

What a beautiful hockey player 😮. Mental illness can happen to anyone, be kind to each other

Kenora Sucks. It's a terrible place to end up in.

That broke my heart

So sad. That hit was brutal. I hope he gets better, finds inner peace. 🙏

Now i feel bad for all those times i injured him in nhl96 when he was on the hawks, but i injured every guy who replaced him too😅

As a former player who’s suffered a bunch of concussions in my younger years, I feel so badly for Joe. Shame on the NHL for doing what they did to this man. His life is ruined because of it. I’m not religious at all but I truly hope Joe finally gets the help he needs one day and he finds peace

Murphy had an awesome shot

Would like to know what the NHLPA has to say about this situation?

👏👏👏👏👏

If he has advanced CTE you can't really expect him to seek help or an easy solution. It's a horrible illness that progressively worsens.

Man this is such a hard watch I teared up 3 times watching this and I never watched or heard of this man, but my lord the nhl should be ashamed of themselves, does he have any kind of gofund me, this story legit has hit such a nerve and my lord this poor guy smh

this situation is strange - can't Joe Murphy get placed into a conservatorship? He has paid millions in taxes, has a clear disability and should have access to pull some type on pension money early. And yes he should have a lawsuit vs the NHL, the team, the team doctors etc... he must have family and friends - someone can help him

Player with a lot of talent. Got shafted. Should've gotten more support. Had the opportunity to get an auto from him in mid 90s and he took time to talk. Decent guy from what i encountered.

Brain injuries are horrific in the sense that there is no visible wound or impairment so a lot of people back then tended to dismiss them. But the reality is that it changes a persons personality so much that it leads to self destruction, even outside of sports this happens. Roseanne Barr and Gary Busey are 2 actors who are often dismissed as crazy or drug addicts but neither of them behaved the way they do now until they got incredibly traumatic brain injuries in car accidents when they were younger. We still dont know enough about the human brain to properly treat conditions like this so a lot of sports have had to change or face a giant lawsuit from ex players

I heard somewhere that Murphy was good friends with Bob Probert who was a good and bad influence. Since a lot of Probert's struggles were similar to Murphy's. In many ways both players were not right in the head a lot of time. The league never took head injuries seriously back in the 90's and it's bad that it took the league so long to address the issue.

I wonder if Steve Yzerman tried to help him. Mental Illness is terrible.

Shit I got a couch for that man

I was in Kenora last year a few times after being set up by the cops there and wrongfully incarcerated. It's not a great place to be in his place. I, being a former pro hockey player, was a couple of times, asked if I was Joe Murphy. I was hoping I would ran into him, as I know a lot of the situations he is in. Joe, if you read this, I would love for you to reach out and talk to me. Failing that, I truthfully know after the OPP taking away so much of my life for no reason, situations such as what you are facing, and I sincerely wish you the best. From the heart, man. I might just go back to see if I can find you, as I heard the NHL or other players were also reaching out to you. Hopefully this finds you in a place that's livable and your health is as good as it gets. Love, me

Heartbreaking

Hang on Joe...heart breaking 😢

So very sad

He was part of the coke cups in Edmonton left that organization with a bad habit one of few

You would think maybe the nhl players association would have some type of program set up for retired players..very sad

Find Joe and tell that man he can stay with me I’m so dead ass, I’ll give that man a solid place to stay with a decent life again

Wow

NHL BILLIONS A YEAR....SORRY WE BE BROKE

I feel terrible for him. This is a tragedy of the highest level. However, there are some pretty damning statements made in this video - if these are 100% accurate, why haven’t steps been taken to hold those responsible accountable? For example - “ he was cleared to return to play in second period”: following a “ fractured skull” . Where are the medical documents to back this claim? If true, why hasn’t any of those assisting him now start legal proceedings against the club , it’s medical staff & the league?

Not a bad career. In Detroit he was looking like a huge bust.

To Win Stanley Cup dont means nothing!

The NHL has failed Joe and that’s not fair they should take better care of the small number of players who have become mentally hill because of the game

Mental illness...drug/alcohol addiction intertwined with homelessness is basically hell on earth...Ive experienced this myself. The one thing that we cannot lose sight of is the fact that no matter the person's past fame/celebrity...its still just a human dealing with the demons that addiction inevitably makes one endure. That being said...trying to help someone going through this is an absolute nightmare...especially if its a family member and/or spouse. Only those who have gone through this with a loved will understand. Yes...the NHL should have handled the situation differently...but we cannot just condemn them without knowing more....in regards to what has already happened with Joe's medical history. However...I believe western societies in general handle mental illness and addiction in just about the worst way possible...and that goes for all health care. A government controlled national health care system like in Canada...as well as a privatized system like the one in the United States both put profit above everything else...they make it political...they make it completely chaotic on purpose simply to capitalize on profits and the ability to control the masses in multiple ways...think of the worst possible scenarios...like NAZI concentration camp medical testing on a scale we cannot fathom. Evil people are in control right now...in both Canada and the United States...and unfortunately are health care isn't going to get better anytime soon.

Here's a video of the Shawn Burr hit. Joe could barely stand up after that hit. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jbBzn8eF3afQqZs.html

nhl is trash

If the Cronin-Call is true it's horrible & he should be dismissed. As far as the missed diagnosis of the head injury you should talk to other former players about how nobody is hurt unless it's a bloody mess. They all played thru too much. He had his concussions before the world knew what CTE & post concussion sydrome is. Yes the NHL & NHLPA could/should do more. You super bash the NHL (they're deserving) but you don't blame the NHLPA for any of it & those are his brothers in arms & you don't blame the culture of playing "through it" which is big part of it too. Mental illness (from PCS or otherwise) is terrible. Murphy needs to accept the help or they need to force him.

Yes I remember him playing great hockey player. I watch that documentary on him Trevor Kidd was looking for him. Trevor found him in Kenora Ontario , living on the streets truly sad. I’m hurt as well I was a tradesman smashed my head 2 times working. The run around by my union Wcb my doctor 2 lawyers destroyed me totally.

Please Joe . Get off the Streets now . The late Gino Odjeck wanted you in BC . So you can heal and be adopted in the Musquem tribe

Wow i had no idea i was a big fan as a kid

It's hard to help someone who will not help themselves. Murph had been given many opportunities but failed to make the best of them. We all know of people like this.

He might have serve CTE

Cant knock the NHL. None of the sports leagues knew the full gravity of brain injury in their sports 30-40 years ago

It’s called personal responsibility, the league didn’t let him down he did.

First off, the nhl didnt know how to treat head injuries and concussions back then. Nobody did. So you're blaming them for misdiagnosing something they didnt know how to diagnose. 2nd, he called the nhl for help but was told to go away, then friends offered him help and he said no?? Something isnt adding up here. Im willing to bet the nhl has tried to help him a few times and hes either f'd it up, not shown up, or has been uncooperative. Shame on you for casting judgement and taking the word of someone who cant tell dreams from reality.

How can he be homeless when he is still receiving an nhl pension check? You make it sound like he receives no income at all. The shame.

Childhood abuse?