Murray resigning as Ducks GM, will enter alcohol abuse program
Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray resigned from his position and will enter an alcohol abuse program, the team announced Wednesday.
The Ducks placed Murray on leave Tuesday amid an investigation into his professional conduct. Jeff Solomon will serve as Anaheim's interim GM.
"First and foremost, we apologize on behalf of the organization to anyone affected by misconduct from Bob. We expect every member of our organization to be treated with respect and will not stand for abuse of any kind," Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli said in a statement.
They added: "Bob tendered his resignation this morning, while also informing us of his decision to enter an alcohol abuse program. While we do not condone his conduct, we fully support his efforts to improve his physical and mental health by asking for help."
Henry Samueli will pay for Murray's rehab, a source told ESPN's Emily Kaplan.
Murray also released a statement.
"I want to apologize to anyone adversely affected by my behavior. I vow to make changes to my life, starting with enrolling in a treatment program. I want to thank Henry and Susan Samueli, and Michael Schulman, as working for them has been one of the highlights of my career," he said. "As I step away from the Ducks, I will focus my attention on where it should be: improving my life for the betterment of my family and friends."
Murray allegedly created a toxic work culture through repeated verbal abuse of Ducks players, staff, and personnel, as well as temper tantrums and intimidation tactics, sources told Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
That behavior was reported via the NHL Hotline, the league's public relations said in a statement. The league sent a memo to all 32 teams in October amid the Chicago Blackhawks scandal to remind any individual within a team to report behavior that's "clearly inappropriate, unlawful, or demonstrably abusive."
Murray joined the Ducks as senior vice president of hockey operations in 2005 and took over as GM in 2008.
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