Detroit's Murphy To Reach Milestone

DETROIT (AP) â€” Jimmy Carter was in the White House when Larry Murphy began his career in the NHL; and one of his teammates was only a few months old. <br><br>``Like in life, time flies,'' said

Wednesday, January 24th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) â€” Jimmy Carter was in the White House when Larry Murphy began his career in the NHL; and one of his teammates was only a few months old.

``Like in life, time flies,'' said the Detroit Red Wings' defenseman.

The 39-year-old Murphy will play in his 1600th game when Detroit hosts Nashville on Wednesday. Only former Red Wings great Gordie Howe (1,767) has played in more games.

``It's significant, and it's something I take pride in,'' Murphy said Tuesday after practice. ``It's a number I've had in the back of my mind for a month or so. I consider it a milestone of sorts because it's a round number. After you reach 1,000 games, it seems like each hundred after that is significant.

``When I think back to when I first started, I never thought I'd do something like this.''

Murphy, who has been traded five times, began his career with the Los Angeles Kings after they drafted him fourth overall in 1980. He also played with Washington, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Toronto before the Maple Leafs traded him to Detroit in 1997.

Murphy has been in 17 straight playoffs and has won four Stanley Cups; two with the Penguins and two with the Red Wings. He hopes to win another during his 21st season.

``I've actually shook hands with the last three presidents,'' he said. ``Hopefully, I'll get a chance to shake George W. Bush's hand.''

Murphy is not just old and experienced; he's talented.

Only Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque have surpassed his 1,210 career points among defensemen. The Scarborough, Ontario, native has had 14 50-plus point seasons.

Murphy is a popular among teammates and coaches because of his laid-back personality, which Detroit associate coach Barry Smith believes has aided his longevity.

``What's helped him the most is his mentality,'' said Smith, who also coached Murphy in Pittsburgh. ``He's never gets too high or too low mentally, and he always has a smile on his face.''

Murphy is a plodding skater who uses his intelligence and experience to be in the right place at the right time.

``They can't accuse me of losing a step,'' Murphy joked. ``Speed has never been my forte. I don't remember skating by anybody in my career.''

He has prospered long enough to make 32-year-old Brendan Shanahan feel inexperienced, and is old enough to be the father of Jiri Fischer, born less than six months before Ronald Reagan replaced Carter as president.

``He's only twice as old as me, what's the big deal,'' the 20-year-old Fischer said with a smile.

Shanahan is amazed at Murphy's longevity.

``Somebody just told me that I'm going to play my 1,000th game soon,'' Shanahan said. ``It kind of makes that seem small when you think about how long he's been around.''

Murphy, who has played in 53 arenas, is awed at how much the league has grown during his career.

``Nashville is a great example,'' Murphy said. ``Who would have ever thought we would be playing them? Or even playing in Florida?

Fischer said it's an honor to be Murphy's teammate, even when it cuts down on his ice time.

``I learn so much from him,'' Fischer said. ``He's so patient with the puck. He's so smart. He doesn't have to skate as much as I do because he always seems to know where to go on the ice.

``He knows where the opposition is going to move and he knows where the puck is going to end up.''

But Murphy doesn't know when or where his career will end. His contract with Detroit expires after this season.

``I don't really have a goal for how long I want to last,'' he said. ``I'll just see how I feel after the season.''