Canning Mudhogs reach 'pinnacle' with roller hockey title - By Brian Smiley

It’s been more than 15 years since the Canning Mudhogs won their last major roller hockey event but the team’s most recent championship may be its biggest according to player Brock Murray.

Murray and his teammates recently travelled to Taylor, Michigan where they captured the 45+ AAA/AA division at the 2025 State Wars 21.

“We played in NHL breakout tournaments and won there, which was a huge accomplishment in our 20s,” said Murray, who is now 49.

“Then in our 30s we played down at NARCh and won there back in 2009. Honestly, State Wars is the pinnacle. It’s a pretty big accomplishment.

“It was incredible. I don’t know how else to say it. We had three games in one day and just kept going.”

For three decades, Murray and the Mudhogs have made their mark in roller hockey circles.

While Murray and his friends were playing the sport well before the new millennium, forming the Mudhogs in 1995, in 2002 he started Four Season Sports Roller Hockey.

That league, which was just for men, began at Syl Apps Arena in Paris before moving to the Gretzky Centre from 2011-17. It then moved to its present location in St. George.

Throughout its history, the league has always had men’s teams and off and on there have been kids taking part.

Murray and a couple of the players on this most recent championship team have played together since the 1990s. All seven of the skaters on the team that competed in Michigan were also members of the 2009 NARCh championship team with the only change in goal.

In Michigan, there were 14 teams in Canning’s pool. During preliminary play, the Mudhogs beat teams from Colorado, Illinois and Missouri while losing to a team from New Jersey.

Playoff wins against teams from Missouri and New Jersey sent Canning to the final where it beat a team from California. The Mudhogs wound up outscoring their opponents 40-15.

“It was significant because it’s been a while since we went and competed at a tournament like this,” said Murray, who noted that most teams had 10-12 skaters while the Mudhogs only employed seven.

“To pull the team together, and having the last time we played together probably five years ago, to go down and play against teams that play all the time, that’s what made it special.”

Members of the championship team include Mark Jennings, Mike Read, Aaron Plant, Curtis Brown, Justin Read, Todd Bowler, Dave Efthimiou and Murray.

“It’s a huge accomplishment that says a lot about the guys and their love of the game,” Murray added. “They put it out there.

“At the end of it, the bumps and bruises, you didn’t even know they were there until the next morning.”

As an added bonus, Murray’s son, Rowan, competed prior to his dad with Team Ontario. Brock also helped coach the group of 2010s, who enjoyed the experience, although they didn’t pick up a win.

“The kids were incredible,” Murray said. “For some of them it was their first time going to the tournament.”

Rowan was then chosen to play for Team Canada on the National Development Program team. That team played against teams against Central, Western and Eastern U.S. teams.

Murray has not only passed on his love of the sport to his son but also to his daughter, Brielle, who helps run the league in St. George with Rowan.

“It’s kind of our thing,” said the oldest Murray. “We’re a roller family.”

For more on 4SSRH, visit www.4ssrh.ca