Tyler Murray: From Hockey East to the Knicks

Hockey East is well known as the top development league in college hockey, with over 100 alumni in the NHL and league products comprising nearly 25% of the PWHL in 2024-25. What is less known, however, is the pipeline of talent off the ice that has quietly developed over the past 10 years in New England.

Tyler Murray's rise from calling Hockey East games on NESN to landing a prestigious on-air role with the New York Knicks is a testament to both his talent and the foundational experiences that shaped his career. Today, he serves as the Knicks Radio Play-by-Play Broadcaster for MSG Networks, bringing his voice and expertise to one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises. For Murray, it all began with a love for the game of hockey and a dream that felt almost unattainable.

"I always wanted to be a broadcaster, and when I was a freshman at Boston University , I went to my first college hockey game - BU against Providence," Murray recalls. "We sat in the student section, behind the goal, and Eric Gryba, this [6’3] defenseman, laid a dude out right in front of the glass. At that moment I was like: ‘This game is amazing, I love college hockey, I love Hockey East, I want to be involved however I can.’"

The path from that initial spark to becoming one of the most prominent voices in sports broadcasting wasn’t a straight line, but it was filled with significant opportunities that Murray gained early in his college career. As a student at Boston University, he didn’t just attend games; he got his hands dirty behind the scenes.

“I always wanted to cover sports, I always wanted to be around it,” Murray explains. “A few of the first friends I’d met [in college] were about to try out for the radio station, so I tagged along.” 

His immersion in the radio scene was just the beginning. During the BU men’s  2009 national championship run, he made himself indispensable to the student radio station by volunteering to run commercials when others were at the game.

“They won the 2009 national championship, that crazy comeback against Miami, and everyone wanted to either go to the game or watch it and party," Murray remembers. "But we needed one person to sit in the studio, for student radio, and run commercials. I said I’d do it, so the seniors who were at the game, calling it, were like: 'This kid’s serious about it, let’s give him some opportunities.’”

Murray credits Hockey East for much of his success, noting how the league put him on the map. "Thirteen years of minor league baseball, college hockey, college basketball, to be doing this [for the Knicks]. And to know that it’s Hockey East that put me on the map," he says. 

Murray eventually moved into a role calling play-by-play for the Terriers’ women’s program as a student. His familiarity with the league led to opportunities within the Hockey East network when the conference expanded its media rights in long-term deals with NESN and ESPN, where he became a staple voice during weekends.

His work calling games for schools like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and BU helped him hone his craft while earning him the respect of both colleagues and fans.

"Working with a lot of different schools has given me the foundation of being an objective broadcaster," he notes, emphasizing the importance of learning to stay neutral despite the passionate rivalries that define Hockey East. “My job now, for the Knicks and MSG network, they pride themselves on not being homers. We’re going to celebrate the game, call it mostly down the middle. Of course, if the Knicks have a game-winner, we’re going to be excited. But that lack of homerism and just celebrating the game—that comes from Hockey East.”

Murray’s connections within Hockey East played a pivotal role in opening doors for his career. 

He recalls the first time he was thrust into a big opportunity: “Bernie Corbett, the legend at BU, called me up and said: ‘Do you want to do the first period until I get there?’ I was a senior at that point. ‘Sure! Why not?’” It was this willingness to step up, along with a growing reputation for solid performance, that led to him being invited to do full broadcasts, including some of the most high-profile games in the league.

Notably, in 2024, he provided TV play-by-play commentary for the Hockey East Men’s Championship and Semifinals on NESN. This builds on his work from previous years, during which he called the Women’s Championship games, including radio play-by-play for the 2022 and 2023 tournaments. His versatility and depth in hockey broadcasting make him a standout in the region, contributing to his reputation for delivering high-quality, engaging coverage.

Murray’s unique journey took an unexpected turn when his work caught the attention of a legendary director at MSG Networks. “I was doing a UMass hockey game on ESPN+,” he explains. “There’s a legendary director at MSG Networks, Howie Singer, who’s been there for 40 years. He happened to catch me on a good day. He texted a colleague at MSG Networks, Alan Hahn, and two weeks later I got the job with the Knicks.”

The opportunity to call games for the Knicks was a dream come true for Murray, whose childhood passion for basketball matched his love for hockey. “The crazy lottery-winning dream for me was always the New York Knicks,” he admits. “But when I got to college, all I focused on was hockey. It was all about: How can I be the guy in the booth calling these games?”

Looking back on the journey, Murray is quick to recognize the pivotal role Hockey East played in shaping his career. "It’s directly related to Hockey East. Literally, I would not be here without them," he says. "And the best compliment I get is when I’m doing a BC game and they’re beating BU, and my friends text me: ‘Stop getting so excited about our rival beating us.’ "

Murray’s success isn’t just a product of talent, but also the work ethic and connections he cultivated during his time in Hockey East. His advice to young broadcasters is simple yet powerful: “Don’t be intimidated by the networking aspect of it. The people you work with, especially early in your career, those can be the most valuable connections you have.”

As he looks back on his path, Murray remains grounded in his roots. “To feel a part of the Hockey East community—it’s no ordinary league. To be even a small part of it is a really cool thing.” His journey from calling games for Hockey East to broadcasting for the New York Knicks is a perfect example of how hard work, dedication, and a passion for the game can lead to unimaginable success.