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Come Fan with UsTuesday, June 23, 2026

Bryan Murray contract extension: Sens GM promoted to president of hockey operations

The Ottawa Senators have extended and promoted general manager Bryan Murray.

Phillip MacCallum

Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray has been given a four-year extension by the club, owner Eugene Melnyk announced Monday morning via news release. In addition, Murray has been appointed as the president of hockey operations.

Murray’s contractual agreement as manager has been extended two more seasons to July of 2016. At the conclusion of that term, he will remain with the organization in an advisory role. In addition to Murray’s extension, the Senators announced that Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee have both been promoted to the role of assistant general manager. Dorion spent the last five years as the director of player personnel and previously acted as the team’s chief amateur scout. Lee has spent the last five years as the director of hockey operations and the director of player development.

Player development is the primary rationale behind the promotions. Melnyk makes several reference to drafting when addressing Murray’s extension, as well as the promotion of Dorion and Lee, via the Senators news release:

“Our drafting success and the emergence of so many young, dynamic players within our organization is a testament to Bryan’s leadership and wealth of hockey knowledge.”

“In addition, Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee have made significant contributions to our club’s many achievements in scouting, drafting and player development,” said Melnyk.

The decision to extend Murray comes four days after the Buffalo Sabres hired former Senators assistant manager Tim Murray to the role of general manager. Tim is Bryan's nephew and was considered by many to be the manager in-waiting for Ottawa. Player evaluation and drafting were considered Tim Murray's strongest attributes as an executive.

The Senators will hope to continue to excel in that department without Tim in the ranks.

Here’s Bryan Murray responding to his extension and promotion, via the Senators website:

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