Philippe Jaroussky
A cerebral defenseman who carved out an unexpected professional career across North America and Europe through sheer hockey IQ.
Born 1978 (age 48)·French countertenor·Birthday: February 13·Generation X
Biography
Cory Murphy's story is one of persistence and intellect triumphing over conventional scouting reports. Undersized for a defenseman even by today's standards, he was overlooked in the NHL draft after his collegiate career at Colgate University. Unfazed, Murphy took his game to Europe, where his exceptional puck-moving ability, power-play quarterbacking, and preternatural vision made him a star in the Finnish SM-liiga. His success there, including a league MVP award, finally earned him a belated NHL shot at age 29 with the Florida Panthers. While his North American tenure was brief, Murphy demonstrated that a player without imposing physical stature could compete at the highest level through elite decision-making and skill. He ultimately enjoyed a long and decorated career primarily in Europe, becoming a model for smaller, skilled defenders who followed a similar transatlantic path.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Philippe was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Philippe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Philippe's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Lasse Oksanen trophy as the SM-liiga's best player during the 2006-07 season with HIFK.
- Led all SM-liiga defensemen in scoring in the 2006-07 season with 13 goals and 47 assists.
- Represented Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, winning a silver medal.
- Played 120 NHL games for the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.
Did You Know?
He was a three-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection while at Colgate University.
Murphy served as captain for the Finnish club HIFK during his MVP season.
After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant for the ECHL's Florida Everblades.
He won a Swiss National League (NL) championship with the ZSC Lions in 2014.
“The voice is an instrument you must tune every single day.”
