Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Connor Murphy is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 26, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he comes from a family with strong connections to professional ice hockey.
Connor Murphy is married to Kristina Murphy, a nurse from the Chicago area. The couple has one son named Tucker Murphy, who was born in summer 2024. His parents are Gord Murphy, a former NHL player and coach, and Nicole Murphy. He also has two siblings: an older brother named Tyler Murphy and a sister named Lexi Murphy.
Murphy grew up surrounded by professional hockey because of his father’s playing and coaching career. His family’s support helped him develop into an NHL defenseman and has remained important throughout his career.
Connor Murphy’s Wife: Who Is Kristina Murphy?
Connor Murphy is married to Kristina Murphy, a registered nurse who has been involved in charitable and community activities alongside her husband.
Kristina is originally from the Chicago area, where Connor spent approximately nine seasons playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
The couple married during the summer of 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
Their wedding brought together relatives, friends, and several current and former NHL players.
According to an October 2024 article published by the Chicago Sun-Times, wedding guests included former Blackhawks teammates Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Brandon Hagel, MacKenzie Entwistle, and Taylor Raddysh.
The celebration was particularly meaningful because Murphy had developed close friendships with several teammates during his years in Chicago.
Although their marriage is publicly documented, the exact wedding date and Kristina’s maiden name have not been reliably established through the major hockey reports reviewed.
Kristina Murphy’s Career as a Nurse
Kristina Murphy works in nursing and has participated in community initiatives alongside her husband.
Her professional background was confirmed by the Chicago Blackhawks in an article published on April 17, 2024, announcing Connor’s nomination for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.
The award recognizes NHL players who demonstrate leadership qualities and make significant contributions to their communities.
During the 2023–24 season, Connor regularly visited fire stations and police departments throughout Chicago to recognize first responders.
Kristina frequently accompanied him on these visits.
According to the Blackhawks, the couple helped organize opportunities to thank emergency personnel for their service and acknowledge individuals who had made important contributions to their communities.
Murphy also invited selected first responders to Blackhawks games, giving them personalized experiences as a gesture of appreciation.
Kristina’s participation in these activities reflected her professional connection to healthcare and the couple’s shared interest in community service.
In December 2023, the Blackhawks released a video showing Connor and Kristina visiting a Chicago firehouse.
Connor and Kristina Murphy’s Life in Chicago
Chicago became an important home for Connor and Kristina during their relationship.
After joining the Blackhawks in 2017, Connor gradually developed strong connections with the city and its residents.
He eventually established his personal life there, marrying Kristina and welcoming their first child.
In a January 2026 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Murphy explained that Chicago had become much more than a place where he played hockey.
His wife’s family connections to the area, their marriage, and their son’s birth made the city particularly meaningful.
Although he understood that an NHL trade was possible, leaving Chicago represented an emotional transition for the family.
Kristina and Connor Murphy Move to Edmonton
On March 2, 2026, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers.
The trade required Connor, Kristina, and their young son to adjust to life in another city.
However, the family received a warm welcome from the Edmonton organization.
According to an official Oilers article published on March 4, 2026, several players contacted Connor after the trade, including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Jack Roslovic.
Members of the Oilers’ extended team community also welcomed Kristina and Tucker.
In an interview with OilersNation, Murphy expressed appreciation for the support his wife provided during the move.
He explained that becoming a husband and father had changed his priorities, helping him understand that life involves responsibilities and relationships beyond hockey.
On June 22, 2026, Murphy signed a five-year, $20.5 million contract with Edmonton.
He explained that his family’s positive experiences with the organization helped make staying in Edmonton an attractive decision.
Connor Murphy’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Connor Murphy and his wife, Kristina, have one publicly documented child, a son named Tucker Murphy.
Tucker was born during summer 2024 while his father was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
His arrival marked an important personal milestone for the couple, who had married the previous summer.
Tucker Murphy: Connor Murphy’s Son
Tucker Murphy is the first publicly identified child of Connor and Kristina Murphy.
His birth was confirmed in October 2024 reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times, which discussed the growing number of young families among Blackhawks players.
Connor was among several Chicago players who welcomed children during that period.
In an October 26, 2024, interview, Murphy discussed the challenges of balancing professional hockey with caring for a newborn.
Because NHL players regularly travel for road games, spending time away from their children can be emotionally difficult.
Murphy explained that he maintained contact with Kristina and Tucker through video calls during team trips.
During one call, he smiled and sang a nursery rhyme to his son.
Tucker responded excitedly, giving Connor the impression that his baby was beginning to recognize him through the phone.
The experience was particularly memorable because Tucker was still very young.
How Fatherhood Changed Connor Murphy’s Life
Murphy has spoken openly about the changes that came with becoming a father.
During a March 2026 interview with OilersNation, he explained that having a child had given him a different perspective on his professional career.
Earlier in his life, he frequently spent his free time thinking about training, improving his performance, and preparing for games.
After marrying Kristina and welcoming Tucker, his priorities expanded to include spending time with his family.
He described fatherhood as an important reminder that there are meaningful responsibilities outside professional hockey.
In the same interview, Murphy identified Tucker as approximately one and a half years old.
During his June 2026 contract announcement, he again discussed the importance of finding a comfortable environment for his wife and young son.
His comments demonstrated that family considerations had become an important factor in his long-term career decisions.
Connor Murphy’s Parents
Connor Murphy was born to Gord Murphy and Nicole Murphy in Boston, Massachusetts.
His parents raised three children while Gord pursued a professional hockey playing and coaching career.
Because of Gord’s work, the family lived in several American cities, including communities near Miami, Atlanta, and Columbus, Ohio.
Connor Murphy’s Father: Gord Murphy
Gord Murphy is Connor Murphy’s father and a former Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman and coach.
Born in 1967 in Ontario, Canada, Gord developed his hockey abilities through Canadian junior competition before reaching the NHL.
He played junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals before the Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.
Gord began his NHL career with Philadelphia during the 1988–89 season.
Over the following 14 seasons, he represented the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Atlanta Thrashers.
During his NHL playing career, Gord appeared in 862 regular-season games, recording 85 goals and 238 assists for 323 points.
He was also a member of the Florida Panthers team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1996.
After retiring from professional hockey in 2002, Gord pursued a coaching career.
His coaching experience included positions with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Hartford Wolf Pack.
How Gord Murphy Influenced Connor’s Hockey Career
Gord’s professional hockey experience strongly influenced Connor’s childhood.
Connor was born in Boston while his father was playing for the Bruins.
He subsequently grew up in South Florida and Atlanta during other stages of Gord’s career.
According to a June 2019 feature published by the Chicago Sun-Times, Connor and his older brother Tyler regularly played hockey in garages and bedrooms because outdoor ice rinks were uncommon in the warmer cities where they lived.
When Gord retired and became an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the family settled in Dublin, Ohio.
Connor gained additional exposure to professional hockey through his father’s work.
He frequently attended practices and became familiar with NHL players and training environments.
Gord provided advice about positioning, defensive responsibilities, and handling the pressures associated with professional sports.
However, he also understood the importance of allowing Connor to develop his own style.
In a 2014 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Connor acknowledged that his father had been one of the most important influences on his hockey career.
Father and Son Competing on Opposing NHL Teams
One of the family’s most unusual experiences involved Connor competing against teams coached by his father.
When Gord worked as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers, Connor played for the Arizona Coyotes.
Their professional responsibilities occasionally placed them on opposing benches during NHL games.
In December 2014, the situation attracted attention when the Flyers and Coyotes prepared to face each other.
Gord explained that the experience was emotionally complicated because he wanted his team to succeed while also supporting his son’s career.
Connor similarly described the matchup as unusual but emphasized his respect for his father’s professional responsibilities.
In 2019, both discussed how their father-son relationship had become even stronger following challenging periods in their careers.
When Connor was recovering from a back injury and Gord was temporarily away from coaching, the two spent more time together.
The experience allowed them to support each other away from the pressures of professional hockey.
Connor Murphy’s Mother: Nicole Murphy
Nicole Murphy is Connor Murphy’s mother and the wife of former NHL player Gord Murphy.
She raised the couple’s three children, Tyler, Connor, and Lexi, while the family relocated because of Gord’s professional hockey career.
Nicole helped provide stability as the children adapted to living in different cities and attending different schools.
Her role became especially important because Gord’s career required frequent travel during the NHL season.
Although Nicole generally maintains a private public profile, she has appeared in reporting about Connor’s childhood and major career milestones.
In 2019, the Chicago Sun-Times published a photograph of Connor with Gord and Nicole during a family celebration in 2016.
The article also recalled how Connor initially struggled during his first skating lessons.
His parents remembered that he showed little interest in learning to skate during his earliest class, a surprising beginning for someone who eventually became a professional defenseman.
Nicole later attended important games during Connor’s NHL career.
She was present alongside Gord during one of Connor’s early NHL appearances with the Coyotes.
During the 2018–19 season, the family also gathered to celebrate Lexi’s graduation from nursing school.
The occasion provided an opportunity for Nicole, Gord, Connor, and the other family members to spend time together.
Nicole also has extended family connections to Ontario, Canada, where the Murphys have occasionally gathered for family visits.
Reliable information about Nicole’s professional occupation and early life remains limited.
Connor Murphy’s Siblings
Connor Murphy has two siblings: an older brother named Tyler Murphy and a sister named Lexi Murphy.
Their identities are confirmed in official hockey biographical records and interviews involving their father, Gord.
Tyler Murphy: Connor Murphy’s Older Brother
Tyler Murphy is Connor Murphy’s older brother and the eldest of Gord and Nicole Murphy’s three children.
According to a December 2014 interview published by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tyler was 23 years old at the time, making him approximately two years older than Connor.
The brothers spent much of their childhood moving between NHL cities as their father continued his professional career.
They lived in the Miami and Atlanta areas before the family eventually settled in Dublin, Ohio.
Growing up, the brothers regularly played informal hockey games together.
Because their childhood homes were located in warmer climates, they frequently practiced in garages, bedrooms, and other indoor spaces rather than on outdoor ice rinks.
These experiences helped Connor develop an early interest in the sport.
Tyler has also been mentioned in interviews about the family’s experiences watching Connor compete against teams coached by Gord.
Although Gord and Nicole found those games emotionally challenging, Tyler was described as more comfortable with the unusual situation.
Tyler generally maintains a private lifestyle, and reliable public information about his current occupation, romantic relationships, and children is limited.
Lexi Murphy: Connor Murphy’s Sister
Lexi Murphy is Connor Murphy’s sister and the daughter of Gord and Nicole Murphy.
Unlike Connor, whose professional career has attracted extensive media coverage, Lexi has maintained a relatively private life.
However, some details about her education have been reported.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Lexi graduated from nursing school during the period surrounding the 2018–19 NHL season.
The family gathered to celebrate her academic achievement, which occurred while Connor was recovering from a back injury and Gord was experiencing changes in his coaching career.
The occasion was particularly meaningful because professional hockey schedules had previously made it difficult for everyone to spend extended periods together.
Lexi has also been mentioned in reporting about Connor and Gord competing on opposing NHL teams.
During a December 2014 interview, Gord explained that Lexi found those matchups emotionally difficult because she supported both her father and brother.
Although her nursing education is documented, reliable information about her current employment, marriage, or children is not widely available.
Connor Murphy’s Family Background and Early Life
Connor Murphy was born on March 26, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts, during his father’s tenure with the Boston Bruins.
Because Gord Murphy played and coached professionally, Connor’s childhood involved living in several different American cities.
He eventually settled with his family in Dublin, Ohio, where he developed his hockey abilities through local youth programs.
Murphy joined the United States National Team Development Program and represented the country internationally.
He helped the United States win gold at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
In June 2011, the Phoenix Coyotes selected him 20th overall in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
He subsequently played junior hockey with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.
Murphy made his NHL debut with the Coyotes on November 16, 2013.
In June 2017, Arizona traded him to the Chicago Blackhawks, where he became a dependable defensive player and eventually assumed leadership responsibilities.
He remained with Chicago for nearly nine seasons before joining Edmonton in March 2026.
His decision to sign a five-year contract with the Oilers in June 2026 reflected both professional ambitions and his family’s positive experience with the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connor Murphy’s Family
Who is Connor Murphy’s wife?
Connor Murphy is married to Kristina Murphy, a nurse from the Chicago area. The couple married during summer 2023.
Does Connor Murphy have a girlfriend?
Connor Murphy is married. His wife is Kristina Murphy, who has participated in charitable activities alongside him.
When did Connor Murphy get married?
Connor Murphy and Kristina married during the summer of 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
How many children does Connor Murphy have?
Connor Murphy has one publicly documented child, a son named Tucker.
Who is Connor Murphy’s son?
His son is Tucker Murphy, who was born during summer 2024 while Connor was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Who are Connor Murphy’s parents?
Connor Murphy’s parents are Gord Murphy, a former NHL player and coach, and Nicole Murphy.
Who is Connor Murphy’s father?
His father is Gord Murphy, a former NHL defenseman who played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Atlanta Thrashers before becoming a coach.
Who is Connor Murphy’s mother?
His mother is Nicole Murphy, who raised Connor and his two siblings while the family relocated for Gord’s hockey career.
Does Connor Murphy have a brother?
Yes. His older brother is Tyler Murphy, who grew up alongside Connor in Florida, Georgia, and Ohio.
Does Connor Murphy have a sister?
Yes. His sister is Lexi Murphy, who graduated from nursing school around the 2018–19 NHL season.
How many siblings does Connor Murphy have?
Connor Murphy has two siblings: an older brother named Tyler and a sister named Lexi.
Did Connor Murphy’s father play in the NHL?
Yes. Gord Murphy played 14 NHL seasons and subsequently worked as a coach for several professional hockey organizations.
Where does Connor Murphy live with his family?
Connor Murphy relocated to Edmonton with his wife and son after the Oilers acquired him from Chicago in March 2026.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
