A Salute to an Unsung Hero: Doug Murray (from Sweden)
Hockey is not a sport that gets a lot of coverage by the media. This means that only the major stars of the sport usually get covered: the Crosbys, the Iginlas, the Brodeurs, etc. As such, many of the fringe players get unnoticed; one such player is Douglas Murray, defenseman for the San Jose Sharks. This is a shame, because Douglas Murray is the coolest dude in the NHL. Why would I think Doug Murray is awesome, given that he’s on a division rival? Well…
…for one, his name is Doug Murray. This isn’t that awesome in itself, except for the fact that he’s Swedish. I mean, what kind of Swede is named Doug Murray? I don’t know why, but it gets me all giggly. (Side note: According to Wikipedia, Doug’s mom doesn’t like people calling him Doug because it sounds like “Dog” when pronounced by a Swede. I will now only refer to him as “Dog Murray.”)
…secondly, his nickname on the team is “Crankshaft.” That’s fucking cool. I wish my nickname was “Crankshaft.” It sounds like the nickname of the big guy who carries the machine gun in a war movie.
…thirdly, despite being a big, lumbering defenseman, Dog is also a Cornell grad (just like Andy Bernard) and an entrepreneur. It's not just any company, either; Dog Murray is the owner of a business called “Ubertap.” The company has created a new kind of tap for your keg that has 3 nozzles, which enables you to pour 5x faster. What makes the tap especially awesome is that it allows you to pump with your foot instead of your hand. Okay, it’s not that awesome, but it seems cool to me for some reason. Apparently, Murray’s friend had the idea create a new type of keg pump and Murray provided the money to start up the company.
If you don't think this is great, you're uber-gay! (See what I did there?)
If I could be a hockey player, I’d be Dog Murray (from Sweden). The guy is a millionaire hockey player (albeit not a very good one) who hangs out with his friends and creates the cutting edge in drinking technology. You may not be well known, Dog, but I salute you.
14 comments:
What makes the tap especially awesome is that it allows you to pump with your foot instead of your hand.
Wow. Built for a dog, funded by a Dog. This product sounds awesome!
That's awesome Rudy. I've been telling people about Doug's awesomeness for a while now, but since I don't have a blog, it's slow going.
I heard the Doug/Dog story on a Sharks broadcast once. Apparently he now asks announcers to call him Douglas, just for his mom. awww.
Wow. Now that's a hockey player that it is totally acceptable to have a man crush on.
Now I love Dog Murray too! Great post, Rudy
Rudy:
Excellent post.
However, aren't we putting the cart before the horse if we haven't actually tested the Ubertap yet?
Please make the necessary arrangements and I will come over to assist with the testing.
Thanks!
Tim
Despite the obvious advantage of have a nickname like Dog or Crankshaft, and being involved in beer-related invention, he also hits people like a freight train.
He's a crowd favorite up here.
Amen to that Mike. The guy is like 240 pounds of bricks.
When he came up every single game it was the biggest opponents trying to give him a "welcome to the NHL kid" moment. Except that Doug wouldn't usually move an inch, and they would kiss the ice with their backs. HARD.
Hope he earns some more ice time this year. The guy has fan favorite written all over him.
Hockey is not a sport that gets a lot of coverage by the media.
Come on up to Toronto big guy; hockey's been on the cover of newspapers in August.
Try and find the pics of some fans in Nashville with Murray during the 05-06 playoffs. Murray's hammered off his ass and being carried by two of the fans.
Douglas Murray also is a Swedish nobleman, although not very representative in his behavior. (Swedes with scottish surnames generally are decended from officers taken into service by the Swedish King a couple of centuries ago). For his coat of arms, the family home page: http://www.murrayska.se/
Most swedes actually had no idea who he was a year ago. But then he played for Team Sweden in WC. Awesome player. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BC3H-ASqqI . Just awesome.
From the same tournament. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgn6mo47DbQ&NR=1
OMG and for all the ladies you need to know he's TOO HOT. I got the chance to meet him last week, and he is solid! Stop and take notice ladies.
I freakin love Douglas Murray. And now that he plays for us, "the Pens" I love him even more. He is like a gentle giant. The kinda guy you wanna hang out with. The day we got him I went out and spent $255 on a special made jersey just so I could have one since they haven't made any yet for our pensgear stores. I love watching him play, he is just so badass.... so glad we have him. Didn't get to watch San Jose too much in Pittsburgh had to pay for the NHL package but he was one of the players that made it worth it...
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