Bruce Murray knew he wanted to end his Western Lacrosse Association career on his own terms.
So when the Coquitlam Adanacs captain decided earlier this year that this season — his 17th in the league — would be his last, it made each stop on the schedule even more significant.
“I have just been soaking it in,” he told The Tri-City News on Wednesday.
The 6’1”, 255 lbs. lefty believes he can still contribute at the WLA level, but he said at 38 years old, he has noticed that bouncing back from injuries is not as easy as it once was. He has been battling a foot injury for most of the year and said he felt that now was the right time physically and mentally to move on from the game.
“I wanted to leave when I wanted to and when I knew I could still play,” he said. “I didn’t want to be told to go away.”
Family was another factor in the decision.
He has two young boys who are ready to start their own lacrosse careers and Murray wants to make sure he is around to help out.
“The family is getting busier,” he said. “It’s time to let their stuff take over and not have dad’s lacrosse getting in the way.”
Murray plans to take a year off and focus on his family, but he has not ruled out coming back to the WLA one day in another capacity.
As one of the older guys in the dressing room, he has been a mentor to some of the players that are coming up the ranks and could easily transition into a coaching role in the future. However, he notes that working behind the bench often keeps people even busier than playing, so taking on an official role is not in the cards anytime soon.
But he said he would be open to helping out where he can.
“I am only a phone call away,” he said.
Murray played all of his minor lacrosse in Coquitlam before joining the junior ranks. As a Jr. Adanac, he was named most inspirational player in 1996 and was the co-winner of the John Urban award as a top graduating player. He also won the McEachern Trophy for most sportsmanlike player and was named to the league’s second all star squad in 1996 and 1997.
Murray’s junior career ended in 1999, when he was drafted to the rival New Westminster Salmonbellies, playing his first few years in the WLA on the old, wooden floor at the Queen’s Park Arena.
But Coquitlam drew him back, picking him up in a trade that sent him to his hometown team in 2005.
He excelled with his new club, earning second team all star recognition in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and first team all star honours in 2012.
Murray’s career was not limited to the Lower Mainland. He also got the call to the National Lacrosse League, playing 10 seasons with various teams, including the Vancouver Ravens, the Anaheim Storm, the Arizona Sting and the Colorado Mammoth.
Despite the fact the club missed the playoffs this season, he said he believes they are in good hands for the future.
There are many young players coming up the ranks that the squad can build with and Murray said he is looking forward to watching things develop from the stands instead of the bench.
But he does not deny that he will miss certain aspects of the game and camaraderie that comes with playing on a team.
“I will miss the dressing room and being with the guys and the competition level,” he said. “But I am comfortable with my decision.”
• On Saturday, the Adanacs will recognize Murray’s contribution to the club during a ceremony before a match against the Nanaimo Timbermen at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. The opening faceoff takes place at 7 p.m. For more information go to www.wlalacrosse.com.
