PROVIDENCE — Rob Murray, an assistant coach with the Providence Bruins for the last five years, has been named P-Bruins’ new head coach. He replaces Scott Gordon, who last week was named head coach of the New York Islanders.

“Rob’s passion coupled with the knowledge that he has gained from the past five years with Providence makes him a good fit for us,” said Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli. “We believe strongly in cultivating talent within the Bruins family, and Rob is a good example of someone who deserved a promotion given his commitment to the organization.”

After retiring from a playing career that spanned 16 years, Murray was named assistant coach of the Providence Bruins on Aug. 22, 2003, and helped the P-Bruins to a 221-141-20-27 record , including an AHL-best regular season record of 55-18-3 last season.

Since joining the organization in 2003, he has worked closely with Boston’s coaching staff during Bruins preseason training camps and for the past two summers at the Bruins Development Camp.

Murray retired ranking sixth in American Hockey League history with 1,018 games played and also ranks second in AHL annals with 2,940 penalty minutes.

He had his number 23 retired by Springfield , becoming the second player in team history to have his number raised to the rafters. Former Boston Bruins great Eddie Shore was the first.

Murray was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third round (61st overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Murray’s professional career began with the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League in 1987-88.

In his NHL career, he saw action with the Capitals, Jets and Phoenix Coyotes.