CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced Monday that Al Murray has stepped down as head scout of Hockey Canada’s men’s Program of Excellence to take a position as director of amateur scouting with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

Murray, a native of Regina, Sask., joined Hockey Canada as head scout in August 2007 and was responsible for the evaluation and selection of players for Canada’s National Junior Team development and selection camps, as well as Canada’s national men’s under-18 program. During his time as head scout, Canada won a pair of IIHF World Junior Championship gold medals (2008, 2009) and one IIHF World Under-18 Championship gold medal (2008).

“We would like to thank Al Murray for his three years of dedication and commitment to Hockey Canada,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s vice-president of hockey operations/national teams. “He has been a terrific addition to our men’s high performance department, and we wish him the best of luck in Tampa Bay.”   

Prior to joining Hockey Canada, Murray spent 12 seasons as director of amateur scouting with the Los Angeles Kings, beginning his scouting career with the Kings in 1988. He also spent time as head coach of the men’s hockey team at the University of Regina, and as development coordinator for the Ottawa District Hockey Association, one of Hockey Canada’s 13 branches.

In the coming weeks, Brad Pascall will lead the search for Murray’s replacement, with hopes to have a new head scout in place in time for the start of the Canadian Hockey League season leading up to the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.