ANAHEIM, Calif. – Larry Murphy said he was shocked and disappointed to be let go as a broadcaster and studio analyst for Detroit Red Wings games on Fox Sports Detroit.

Murphy was informed last week by Greg Hammaren, senior vice president and general manager of FSD, that his services were no longer required. Murphy had worked for the station in some capacity since 2002-03.

“I was shocked, didn't see it coming,'' Murphy told MLive.com. “They said they just needed a change, ratings weren't what they were. That was basically it (for an explanation).

“I'm still trying to figure it out.''

Hammaren did not return a call from MLive.com seeking comment.

Murphy said he was scheduled to work the studio for the game at Calgary last Wednesday when he got a call “out of the blue'' from Hammaren the day before telling him he was terminated. He also had been slated to work in the broadcast booth during the four-game road trip that started Friday in Anaheim. But now Mickey Redmond is on the trip.

It is unclear why FSD made the change in the middle of the season instead of just declining to renew Murphy's contract after the year. Murphy said the timing also surprises him.

Murphy, 52, started working part-time as a color analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels in 2002-03, a couple of years after he retired following a Hall-of-Fame career in which he played 21 NHL seasons as a defenseman, including four-plus for the Red Wings. He began by filling in on some road trips for Redmond, whose travel was reduced because of Celiac Disease and the difficulty finding gluten-free meals on the road for an extended time.

Murphy's workload increased over the years. He worked full-time the past three seasons, either in the booth, between the benches or in the studio.

“It's disappointing,'' Murphy said. “I really enjoyed the job, working for Fox and covering the Detroit Red Wings.

“I'm going to miss it.''

Murphy doesn't know if he will remain in the broadcasting business.

“I haven't decided what I want to do,'' he said. “I envisioned myself being here for a long period of time. This is a curveball.

“I'd like to stay in the industry, but I'm not sure if I want to move. I enjoy living in Detroit.''