INSIDE HOCKEY

When Bruins right wing Glen Murray packed his bags and left for the off-season back in early April, he left Boston with a bitter taste in his mouth. His team had just missed the playoffs and after a season full of injuries and one in which he saw management deal away the team captain, Joe Thornton, who was also Murray’s line-mate and close friend, Murray couldn’t get out of Dodge quick enough.

“It was by far the toughest season of my career,” Murray said recently from his California summer home. “We lost our best player in Joe [Thornton] and I lost a good friend and my center. Then with the injuries and the losing, it was just a season to forget.”

But after watching his team revamp their roster by signing the two best players on the free agent market, defenseman Zdeno Chara and center Marc Savard, Murray has a fresh outlook for the upcoming season and training camp which starts in early September.

“I stepped back for a bit and did my best to put things behind me,” he said. “Then when I saw management go out and get guys like Chara and Savard, it showed me they really are committed to turning things around.”

Assistant General Manager Jeff Gorton said he understood Murray’s feelings about last season and is actually happy Murray feels that way.

“I think I can see how he felt, he just wants to win and that’s great,” Gorton said. “Last season was a tough year for everyone and I think he just wanted to make sure we were still committed to winning. I think our off-season has shown that and we’re looking forward to another big season from him.”

The potential to have Savard, who had 97 points last season, feeding him the puck, is very enticing Murray who has had four straight 20-goal seasons.

“I’m very excited to play with Marc,” Murray said. “He’s a pure passer and a left-handed shot which will really help me a lot.”

So for now, Murray will continue to get in shape for camp by working out and surfing off the shores of Southern California, but he now does so with greater anticipation.

“I have to admit, I can’t wait for camp to start,” he said. “I’m just really psyched.”