The Washington Capitals were not always the force that they are now. Their brutal inaugural 1974-75 season, where recorded 8 wins, 67 losses, and 5 ties, is widely remembered as the worst season for an NHL expansion team. But that season was, of course, also the first time someone wore No. 8 for the Capitals–a number that Alexander Ovechkin now proudly wears on his back as he sits atop the NHL’s goalscoring throne. That person was Murray Anderson, who, sadly, is no more. For Caps fans still reeling from a tough second-round playoff exit to the Carolina Hurricanes, this loss stings even deeper.
The Capitals shared their grief on their official X account, stating, “The Washington Capitals are saddened to learn of the passing of alumnus Murray Anderson. Anderson was a member of the inaugural team, appearing in 40 games with Washington during the 1974-75 season. Anderson, who was the first player in franchise history to wear No. 8, will forever be a part of our organisation’s history.” That No. 8 carries a legacy, one that Anderson, a tough defenseman from The Pas, Manitoba, etched into the franchise’s story.
Anderson’s journey to the NHL began with his junior career alongside the Flin Flon Bombers, just a 90-minute drive from his hometown. Drafted by the Montréal Canadiens in the fourth round of the 1969 NHL Entry Draft, he kicked off his professional career in 1970-71, splitting time between the Montréal Voyageurs and Rochester Americans. By 1973-74, his leadership shone through as he captained the AHL’s New Haven Nighthawks. When the NHL expanded to include Washington and Kansas City, the Capitals selected Anderson in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft.
The Washington Capitals are saddened to learn of the passing of alumnus Murray Anderson. Anderson was a member of the inaugural team, appearing in 40 games with Washington during the 1974-75 season. Anderson, who was the first player in franchise history to wear No. 8, will… https://t.co/GNqMgH6A53
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 20, 2025
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The post Washington Capitals Express Sorrow After Demise of Former Star Who Began the ‘No. 8’ Legacy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
