Williamson passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025 at the age of 91.
After high school, I hadn't received much interest from colleges for hockey. So, when the GM of the St. Paul Vulcans called and said he got me an invite to USA Hockey's World Junior tryouts, I honestly didn't know what it was. I had never heard of the tournament.
I drove myself to Austin, MN, for the week-long tryout, led by Coach Lou Vairo from Brooklyn, N.Y. and GM John Mariucci. There were 60 players vying for 20 spots, and all but a few of us already had college scholarships.
It was an incredibly challenging week with the most intense on-ice and off-ice drills I had ever experienced run by Coach Vairo who was a pioneer to the up-tempo skill we enjoy today. At the end of camp, to my surprise, I was beyond thrilled to see my name on the roster to go to Helsinki, Finland over the holidays to compete against the best 20-year-olds in the world, which included the likes of Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, Jari Kurri and Dino Ciccarelli to name a few.
Looking back, that was a major turning point in my career. It led to a scholarship at the University of Minnesota, a spot on the '84 Olympic team, and seven years as a professional player.
Murray coached Team USA to a Silver Medal at the 1972 Olympics in Saporo, Japan. There were 11 Minnesotans on the roster.
Murray Williamson's recent passing was a sad day not just for Americans, but for hockey fans and players worldwide who cherish the World Junior Championship every year. Murray achieved numerous successes in hockey, including coaching USA Hockey's 1972 Olympic Silver medalist team, and he also had a very successful business career. He was the visionary who brought together the best under-20 players annually, a tournament that has featured countless superstars and Hall of Famers like Wayne Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin, Jaromir Jagr and Connor McDavid.
I had the pleasure of seeing Murray in July at a World Junior launch event. He was, as always, smiling and incredibly excited for this year's tournament to be held in his home state of Minnesota. He would have been treated like royalty by every team, a fitting tribute to the man who started this event in 1976.
From all of us who view this tournament with the same passion that basketball enthusiasts view March Madness, thank you, Murray!
If you are fortunate enough to attend this year, enjoy every moment. The players on the ice will undoubtedly be wearing NHL jerseys very soon. And more importantly, they’ll be inspiring the next generation.
Crystal, MN native and Armstrong High School alum Dave Jensen is the President of Nordstar Media and publisher of Minnesota Hockey Journal. Dave played four years at the University of Minnesota, captaining the Gophers his senior season before earning a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team and enjoying a seven-year pro career.
Tag(s):