Newest Hab Murray smart but not Cranky

MONTREAL —Herearesome things you may not know about newly signed Montreal Canadiens defenceman Douglas Murray:

Murray has a degree in hotel administration from Cornell University and is one of the inventors of the UberTap, a hands-free dispensing system that allows you to pour three beers at a time and drain a keg five times faster than a traditional tap.

In 2010, Sporting News selected Murray as the 16thsmartest pro athlete.

The Swede with the Scottish name has dated Tiger Woods’ ex, Elin Nordegren.

Murray answers to the nickname Crankshaft but gets upset if anyone calls him Cranky.

He shared the 2005 Cleveland Barons Rubbermaid Player of the Year award with Josh Gorges.

But the most important thing you should know about Murray is contained in this statement from Canadians general manager Marc Bergevin: “Douglas Murray is an experienced defenceman with good size and is a seasoned veteran. He will being a physical dimension to our team.”

Bergevin has been pursuing Murray for most of the off-season and reached agreement on Thursday on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

Murray was still on the open market because he had been looking for a longer deal for more money but there were no takers.

Murray fits into the Canadiens’ overall plan because Bergevin has limited cap space and, with some promising young defencemen in the system, he was reluctant to make a long-term commitment. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, the 33-year-old Murray brings much-needed size to the Canadiens’ roster.