The Boston Herald is reporting an ankle injury may end Glen Murray's hockey career.

 "He suffered an ankle injury last season that remained unhealed through the summer and reportedly will require surgery next week, making it impossible for him to play this season. It would seem probable his career is done."

 In a personnel move the Herald said had been forecast for months, the 35-year-old Bridgewater native had the $4.1 million remaining on his contract bought out by the Boston Bruins for $2.76 million on July 26.

 "Murray, who broke into the NHL in his first stint with the B's in 1991-92, struggled badly much of last season, with 17-13-30 totals in 63 games. He was hampered most of the season by a right ankle ailment, a bony protrusion that was visible and somewhat grotesque in appearance," the Herald article said.

 "Surgery was performed on the ankle in April, and he was back skating this summer in an effort to find a new team for this season. Reportedly, there was interest from multiple teams, but, at some point, he shut down his skating and headed toward the upcoming surgery."

 Now, multiple news sources are reporting Mr. Murray is challenging the legality of his contract buyout on the basis that he had a pre-existing injury.

 "The problem for the Murray camp may be this: He reportedly was telling prospective teams that he was healthy and ready to play this season, which would undermine his contention that the B's improperly bought out an injured athlete," said the Herald.

 His agent, Anton Thun, did not respond to an interview request by this newspaper.

 However, TSN has reported Mr. Thun is expected to file a grievance with the National Hockey League Players' Association over the matter in hopes an arbitrator would award Mr. Murray full payment of his contract.

 "Murray is physically unable to play and because the secondary injury was discovered after the buyout, he and Thun are conducting an investigation to prove this injury is pre-existing and should have prohibited the Bruins from buying him out," said TSN's Darren Dreger.

 "Thun stated at the time of the buyout that Murray did not know the nature of his injury which is why it wasn't raised. Murray continued to receive treatment in Boston, but this treatment did not solve the problem, leading to further investigation into why he was feeling pain and the subsequent decision additional surgery is required to address a separate issue in the ankle."

 Bruins manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed to the Boston Herald the team's disagreement with their former player.

 "Yes, there's an issue there. I haven't seen all the facts on what they're claiming, but they are claiming we bought him out improperly. Outside of one letter from his agent, that's all I've heard. We've done everything according to the CBA and the standard players contract, so I don't think there's going to be an issue."

 Mr. Murray is a two-time NHL all-star who has 337 goals and 651 points in 1009 career games.

posted on 11/11/08