Brendan Morrison
Encyclopedia
Brendan Morrison is a Canadian professional ice hockey
centre
for the Calgary Flames
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils
, Vancouver Canucks
, Anaheim Ducks
, Dallas Stars
and Washington Capitals
.
Morrison was selected 39th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
by the Devils after a season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL); he had won rookie of the year honours for the Interior Conference as a member of the Penticton Panthers. Following his draft, he joined the college hockey
ranks with the Michigan Wolverines
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). During his four-year college career, he was named the NCAA Tournament MVP while leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1996 and won the Hobey Baker Award
as the NCAA's player of the year in 1997.
Turning professional in 1997–98
, Morrison was named to the American Hockey League
(AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats
. He played his rookie season in the NHL the following season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2000. He played seven full seasons with the Canucks, which included a club record 534 consecutive regular season games played. As a member of the team's West Coast Express line (with Markus Naslund
and Todd Bertuzzi
), Morrison enjoyed the most successful years of his career, posting three consecutive 60-point seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played one season with Linköpings HC
of the Swedish Elite League. Beginning in 2008, he played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals before joining the Calgary Flames in 2010.
Internationally, Morrison has competed for Team Canada
in three World Championships, winning gold in 2004
and silver in 2005
.
(BCJHL) in 1992–93, recording 94 points (35 goals and 59 assists) over 56 games. He ranked second in team scoring, behind Marcel Sakac
, and was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Interior Conference's rookie of the year. In the off-season, Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils
39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
.
Upon being drafted, he joined the Michigan Wolverines
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). He had also been approached by the Denver Pioneers
and the Maine Black Bears to join their school teams, but ultimately chose Michigan. Registering 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) over 38 games as a freshman, Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season. He played on a line
with fellow freshman Jason Botterill
; the two played together throughout their college career. In the 1994 playoffs, he helped the Wolverines to a CCHA championship. Playing in his sophomore year (1994–95), Morrison improved to 76 points (23 goals and 43 assists) over 39 games and received his first of three consecutive CCHA First Team All-Star selections.
With 72 points over 45 games in 1995–96, Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards. He added 15 points in 7 post-season games to capture his second CCHA championship with the Wolverines. Advancing to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Michigan advanced to the final against the Colorado College Tigers
. Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime
to win the game 3–2. It was the Wolverines' first national title in 32 years. Michigan's championship-winning team that year included five future NHL players – Morrison, Botterill, Blake Sloan
, John Madden
, Marty Turco
, and Bill Muckalt
. In addition to receiving NCAA Tournament MVP honours, Morrison was named to the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Tournament All-American Teams.
Morrison was named team captain
in his senior year. He totalled college personal bests that season of 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points over 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award
as the NCAA's most outstanding player; Morrison had been a finalist for the award the previous two years. The Wolverines repeated as CCHA champions, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA semifinal. Morrison completed his four-year college career as the Wolverines' all-time points leader with 284, surpassing Denny Felsner
. His points total also ranked seventh all-time among NCAA players.
, Bobby Holik
and Petr Sykora
. As such, he played the majority of the 1997–98 season in the American Hockey League
(AHL) with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats
. He scored 35 goals and 84 points over 72 games in the AHL, ranking first in team scoring and eighth in the league overall. He finished second among league rookies in scoring, eight points behind Daniel Briere
of the Springfield Falcons
, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His AHL season included a five-goal game against the Hartford Wolfpack on April 1, 1998; two of his goals came short handed into an empty net
, as part of a 5–2 Albany win. The feat was one goal shy of the AHL's single-game record.
Morrison also made his NHL debut during the 1997–98 season. He was called up to the Devils in December 1997 as a replacement for winger John MacLean, who had been informally suspended by general manager Lou Lamoriello
after requesting to be traded. Playing in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, Morrison scored against goaltender Tom Barasso in a 4–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins
. He received a second call-up in April 1998. Competing in 11 NHL games, he finished the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.
The following season, he secured a full-time roster spot with the Devils. With Doug Gilmour having left the team as a free agent in the 1998 off-season, Morrison was expected to help fill the void at centre. His 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists) over 76 games finished second among league rookies behind Milan Hejduk
of the Colorado Avalanche
. He ranked fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy
voting as the league's rookie of the year with one first-place ballot (the award was given to the Avalanche's Chris Drury
).
Becoming a restricted free agent
in the off-season, Morrison was given a one-year qualifying offer with a reported value of approximately US$
500,000. With the Devils unwilling to increase their offer, he left in September 1999 for Třebíč
, Czech Republic
, where fellow Devils restricted free agent Patrik Elias
was also holding out. While overseas, Morrison and Elias played for Czech teams SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
and HC Pardubice
as they waited for contract negotiations to resume. Morrison was pointless in two games with Trebic and recorded seven points in five games with Pardubice. On October 24, 1999, Morrison and Elias agreed to new contracts with the Devils. After recording 26 points over 44 games with the Devils, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
on March 14, 2000. Morrison was dealt alongside centre Denis Pederson
in exchange for winger Alexander Mogilny
. Both Morrison and Pederson were struggling offensively and were unhappy with their roles on the team.
Morrison finished the 1999–2000 season with 9 points in 12 games with the Canucks for a combined total of 35 points in 56 games. In the off-season, he re-signed with the Canucks. Playing in his first full season with the Canucks in 2000–01, Morrison improved to 54 points (16 goals and 38 assists) over 82 games. He helped the team reach the post-season for the first time since 1996
, as Vancouver secured the eighth and final seed
in the Western Conference
. Facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, the Canucks were swept in four games. Morrison scored his first NHL playoff goal during the series and finished with three points in four games.
The 2001–02 campaign marked the beginning of what was widely considered to be the most effective line combination in the NHL for several years. During a game on January 9, 2002, Morrison replaced Andrew Cassels
as the centreman on the team's first line with wingers Markus Naslund
and Todd Bertuzzi
. He went on to record his three best statistical seasons in the NHL while playing with the two wingers. The latter two finished second and third in NHL scoring in 2001–02, while Morrison tallied 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games. Morrison's playmaking ability complemented his wingers' goal-scoring prowess. Together, they were known for playing a fast and entertaining style; as a result, head coach Marc Crawford
implemented a highly offensive coaching strategy. The trio were dubbed the "West Coast Express
", named after Vancouver's commuter rail service
of the same name.
Despite finishing as the NHL's top-scoring team, the Canucks entering the 2002 playoffs
as the eighth seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
in the opening round, they were eliminated in six games. Morrison notched two assists during the series. After initially failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Canucks in the off-season, Morrison filed for arbitration
. He won his hearing and was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract on August 3, 2002, more than doubling his previous year's salary of US$775,000.
The following season, Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals 46 assists and 71 points in 82 games. He ranked 26th in NHL point-scoring, while Näslund and Bertuzzi finished second and fifth, respectively. He helped the Canucks come within a point of the Northwest Division
title, entering the 2003 playoffs
as the fourth seed in the West. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
in the opening round, they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild
in a seven-game second round series. Morrison had a career-high 4 goals, 7 assists and 11 points over 14 post-season games.
In 2003–04, Morrison registered 22 goals and 60 points over 82 games as all members of the Canucks' top line experienced declines in offensive production. Bertuzzi was replaced on Morrison's wing after he was suspended indefinitely by the league for sucker punching Steve Moore
in a game against the Avalanche in March 2004; he was replaced on the Canucks' top line by Matt Cooke
. Nonetheless, the Canucks won their first ever Northwest Division title and went into the 2004 playoffs
as the West's third seed. Facing elimination in game six of the opening round against the Calgary Flames
, Morrison scored there minutes into the contest's third overtime session to force a seventh game. Having skated from the corner boards with the puck, Morrison stickhandled across the net and scored past Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
. The Canucks were then eliminated in game seven; Morrison finished the playoff season with five points. Becoming a restricted free agent
in the off-season, he filed for salary arbitration against the Canucks for the second time in two years. Both sides managed to avoid their hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal on July 27, 2004.
In lieu of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Morrison went overseas to play in the Swedish Elite League
, signing with Linköpings HC
on September 15, 2004. With 44 points (16 goals and 29 assists) over 45 games, he ranked second in team scoring (behind Kristian Huselius
) and sixth in league scoring. After finishing with the second-best regular season in the SEL, Linköping was eliminated in the first round by Södertälje
.
With NHL play set to resume the next season, Morrison re-signed with the Canucks at US$9.6 million over three years. Morrison suffered a torn labrum
in his hip in December 2005, but chose to play through the injury. He finished the season with 19 goals and 56 points over 82 games in 2005–06, as the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs. Head coach Marc Crawford recalled that by the end of the season, the line of Morrison, Bertuzzi and Naslund had been surpassed as the top unit by Daniel
and Henrik Sedin
. In the off-season, Morrison underwent surgery for his hip injury and missed two months of workout and conditioning while recovering. Also in the summer, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers
, marking the end of the West Coast Express line.
Morrison's hip continued to hinder his play in 2006–07, contributing to a slow start early in the season. Later in the campaign, he set a Canucks record for consecutive regular season games played (colloquially known as an "ironman streak"); he had not mised a contest since arriving to the team from New Jersey. Playing against the Los Angeles Kings
on February 22, 2007, he surpassed Trevor Linden
's old club record of 482 consecutive games played (his overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the Devils prior to his trade). Three days later, he became the league's active ironman when Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins
was forced to miss a game with a knee injury. Skrastins had played in 495 consecutive games, while Morrison had 492 at the time. Offensively, he finished the year with his sixth consecutive 50-point season in the NHL with 20 goals and 31 assists over 82 games. The Canucks returned to the post-season and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks
. Morrison recorded 4 points in 12 playoff games.
Morrison began the 2007–08 season with a minor wrist injury suffered during a game during the pre-season; he chose to play through the injury for months. He extended his ironman streak to 542 games before opting for wrist surgery on December 12, 2007. The streak, which had begun on February 27, 2000 with the Devils, was the eleventh longest in NHL history, 404 games short of Doug Jarvis
' NHL record. Morrison was succeeded as the league's active ironman by Flames defenceman Cory Sarich
, who had played in 419 consecutive games at the time of Morrison's injury. After undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games. The following month, Morrison tore the ACL in his right knee during a game on March 28, forcing him to miss the remaining four contests of the regular season. He underwent knee surgery 10 days later. Limited to 39 games due to his injuries, Morrison recorded 9 goals and 25 points in 2007–08. The Canucks finished out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Morrison ended his career with the Canucks ninth overall on the team's all-time scoring list with 393 points in 543 games.
. While it was hoped he could be a replacement for Andy McDonald
as the team's second-line centre, Morrison struggled in his short tenure with the Ducks. He was relegated to the fourth line and made a healthy scratch at various points in the season. It was proposed by the media that he was not yet playing at full capacity on account of his off-season knee surgery. With 22 points in 62 games, he was waived
by the Ducks leading up to the trade deadline
on March 3, 2009. He was claimed the following day by the Dallas Stars. He scored his first goal with the Stars on March 12, the game-winner in a 3–2 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes
. Morrison's 2008–09 total of 31 points between the Ducks and Stars was the lowest output of his career (not including the previous season's injury-shortened campaign and his 11-game 1997–98 season).
In the off-season, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals
to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract on July 10, 2009. He registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
on October 3, 2009. In the final two months of the season, Morrison missed six games due to a leg injury. He finished the campaign with 42 points in 74 games with the Capitals, his highest total in three years. Returning in time for the 2010 playoffs
, he registered one assists in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens
in the first round.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year in July 2010, Morrison did not initially receive any offers. As a result, he accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and attended the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia
. At the conclusion of the pre-season, the Canucks offered Morrison a two-way contract
, which he turned down. The following day, on October 4, 2010, Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000. The Flames had signed Morrison in lieu of numerous injuries at the centre position on their roster. He scored his first goal as a Flame on October 16, in a 5–3 win against the Edmonton Oilers
. After recording 43 points in 66 games, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in March 2011. He hurt his left knee in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks
when opposing defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson
pinned him against the end-boards. At the time of the injury, Morrison was leading the Flames with a plus-minus rating of +13 while centring the team's top line with Jarome Iginla
and Alex Tanguay
. On July 15, 2011, Morrison came to terms with the Flames on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million US.
in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was joined on the team by four other Canucks – Todd Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin
, Ed Jovanovski
and Peter Schaefer. Scoring a goal and three assists over seven games, he helped Canada reach the bronze medal game, where they were defeated 2–1 by Finland. Morrison ranked sixth in team point-scoring and tied for first with Aucoin with a plus-minus rating of +7.
Four years later, Morrison was selected again to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship
in Prague
and Ostrava
, Czech Republic
. He was one of two Canucks players on the roster with Matt Cooke
. In the gold medal game, Morrison registered an assist, helping Canada to a 5–3 win over Sweden. With seven points in nine games, Morrison ranked third in team scoring, behind Dany Heatley
and Daniel Briere.
Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship
in Vienna
and Innsbruck
, Austria
. He was named to the team alongside Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate as there was no timing conflict with the Stanley Cup playoffs
. Reaching the gold medal game for the second consecutive year, Canada was shut out by the Czech national team 3–0. Morrison ranked third on the team in goal-scoring with four; he had no assists.
Several months later, Morrison was invited to Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in August 2005 – a part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin, Italy. He was a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux
, who chose not to attend due to commitments with his club team, the Pittsburgh Penguins
. Morrison was not chosen to the final roster.
, to Ron and Deborah Morrison. He has a sister named Jennifer. His parents had moved to Pitt Meadows from Windsor, Ontario
, in the 1970s. Ron coached his son on minor hockey teams, before Morrison moved away from home at age 17 to play junior hockey in Penticton, British Columbia
.
Morrison and his wife, Erin, have one son, Brayden, and three daughters, Makenna, Kailyn, and Taylor. During his career with the Vancouver Canucks, Morrison resided year-round with his family in Coquitlam
, British Columbia
. He spent a year living with his family in Newport Beach, California
, during his stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
Brendan Morrison (born August 15, 1975) is a Canadian professional ice hockey
centre
for the Calgary Flames
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils
, Vancouver Canucks
, Anaheim Ducks
, Dallas Stars
and Washington Capitals
.
Morrison was selected 39th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
by the Devils after a season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL); he had won rookie of the year honours for the Interior Conference as a member of the Penticton Panthers. Following his draft, he joined the college hockey
ranks with the Michigan Wolverines
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). During his four-year college career, he was named the NCAA Tournament MVP while leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1996 and won the Hobey Baker Award
as the NCAA's player of the year in 1997.
Turning professional in 1997–98
, Morrison was named to the American Hockey League
(AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats
. He played his rookie season in the NHL the following season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2000. He played seven full seasons with the Canucks, which included a club record 534 consecutive regular season games played. As a member of the team's West Coast Express line (with Markus Naslund
and Todd Bertuzzi
), Morrison enjoyed the most successful years of his career, posting three consecutive 60-point seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played one season with Linköpings HC
of the Swedish Elite League. Beginning in 2008, he played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals before joining the Calgary Flames in 2010.
Internationally, Morrison has competed for Team Canada
in three World Championships, winning gold in 2004
and silver in 2005
.
(BCJHL) in 1992–93, recording 94 points (35 goals and 59 assists) over 56 games. He ranked second in team scoring, behind Marcel Sakac
, and was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Interior Conference's rookie of the year. In the off-season, Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils
39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
.
Upon being drafted, he joined the Michigan Wolverines
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). He had also been approached by the Denver Pioneers
and the Maine Black Bears to join their school teams, but ultimately chose Michigan. Registering 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) over 38 games as a freshman, Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season. He played on a line
with fellow freshman Jason Botterill
; the two played together throughout their college career. In the 1994 playoffs, he helped the Wolverines to a CCHA championship. Playing in his sophomore year (1994–95), Morrison improved to 76 points (23 goals and 43 assists) over 39 games and received his first of three consecutive CCHA First Team All-Star selections.
With 72 points over 45 games in 1995–96, Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards. He added 15 points in 7 post-season games to capture his second CCHA championship with the Wolverines. Advancing to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Michigan advanced to the final against the Colorado College Tigers
. Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime
to win the game 3–2. It was the Wolverines' first national title in 32 years. Michigan's championship-winning team that year included five future NHL players – Morrison, Botterill, Blake Sloan
, John Madden
, Marty Turco
, and Bill Muckalt
. In addition to receiving NCAA Tournament MVP honours, Morrison was named to the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Tournament All-American Teams.
Morrison was named team captain
in his senior year. He totalled college personal bests that season of 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points over 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award
as the NCAA's most outstanding player; Morrison had been a finalist for the award the previous two years. The Wolverines repeated as CCHA champions, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA semifinal. Morrison completed his four-year college career as the Wolverines' all-time points leader with 284, surpassing Denny Felsner
. His points total also ranked seventh all-time among NCAA players.
, Bobby Holik
and Petr Sykora
. As such, he played the majority of the 1997–98 season in the American Hockey League
(AHL) with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats
. He scored 35 goals and 84 points over 72 games in the AHL, ranking first in team scoring and eighth in the league overall. He finished second among league rookies in scoring, eight points behind Daniel Briere
of the Springfield Falcons
, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His AHL season included a five-goal game against the Hartford Wolfpack on April 1, 1998; two of his goals came short handed into an empty net
, as part of a 5–2 Albany win. The feat was one goal shy of the AHL's single-game record.
Morrison also made his NHL debut during the 1997–98 season. He was called up to the Devils in December 1997 as a replacement for winger John MacLean, who had been informally suspended by general manager Lou Lamoriello
after requesting to be traded. Playing in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, Morrison scored against goaltender Tom Barasso in a 4–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins
. He received a second call-up in April 1998. Competing in 11 NHL games, he finished the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.
The following season, he secured a full-time roster spot with the Devils. With Doug Gilmour having left the team as a free agent in the 1998 off-season, Morrison was expected to help fill the void at centre. His 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists) over 76 games finished second among league rookies behind Milan Hejduk
of the Colorado Avalanche
. He ranked fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy
voting as the league's rookie of the year with one first-place ballot (the award was given to the Avalanche's Chris Drury
).
Becoming a restricted free agent
in the off-season, Morrison was given a one-year qualifying offer with a reported value of approximately US$
500,000. With the Devils unwilling to increase their offer, he left in September 1999 for Třebíč
, Czech Republic
, where fellow Devils restricted free agent Patrik Elias
was also holding out. While overseas, Morrison and Elias played for Czech teams SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
and HC Pardubice
as they waited for contract negotiations to resume. Morrison was pointless in two games with Trebic and recorded seven points in five games with Pardubice. On October 24, 1999, Morrison and Elias agreed to new contracts with the Devils. After recording 26 points over 44 games with the Devils, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
on March 14, 2000. Morrison was dealt alongside centre Denis Pederson
in exchange for winger Alexander Mogilny
. Both Morrison and Pederson were struggling offensively and were unhappy with their roles on the team.
Morrison finished the 1999–2000 season with 9 points in 12 games with the Canucks for a combined total of 35 points in 56 games. In the off-season, he re-signed with the Canucks. Playing in his first full season with the Canucks in 2000–01, Morrison improved to 54 points (16 goals and 38 assists) over 82 games. He helped the team reach the post-season for the first time since 1996
, as Vancouver secured the eighth and final seed
in the Western Conference
. Facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, the Canucks were swept in four games. Morrison scored his first NHL playoff goal during the series and finished with three points in four games.
The 2001–02 campaign marked the beginning of what was widely considered to be the most effective line combination in the NHL for several years. During a game on January 9, 2002, Morrison replaced Andrew Cassels
as the centreman on the team's first line with wingers Markus Naslund
and Todd Bertuzzi
. He went on to record his three best statistical seasons in the NHL while playing with the two wingers. The latter two finished second and third in NHL scoring in 2001–02, while Morrison tallied 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games. Morrison's playmaking ability complemented his wingers' goal-scoring prowess. Together, they were known for playing a fast and entertaining style; as a result, head coach Marc Crawford
implemented a highly offensive coaching strategy. The trio were dubbed the "West Coast Express
", named after Vancouver's commuter rail service
of the same name.
Despite finishing as the NHL's top-scoring team, the Canucks entering the 2002 playoffs
as the eighth seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
in the opening round, they were eliminated in six games. Morrison notched two assists during the series. After initially failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Canucks in the off-season, Morrison filed for arbitration
. He won his hearing and was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract on August 3, 2002, more than doubling his previous year's salary of US$775,000.
The following season, Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals 46 assists and 71 points in 82 games. He ranked 26th in NHL point-scoring, while Näslund and Bertuzzi finished second and fifth, respectively. He helped the Canucks come within a point of the Northwest Division
title, entering the 2003 playoffs
as the fourth seed in the West. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
in the opening round, they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild
in a seven-game second round series. Morrison had a career-high 4 goals, 7 assists and 11 points over 14 post-season games.
In 2003–04, Morrison registered 22 goals and 60 points over 82 games as all members of the Canucks' top line experienced declines in offensive production. Bertuzzi was replaced on Morrison's wing after he was suspended indefinitely by the league for sucker punching Steve Moore
in a game against the Avalanche in March 2004; he was replaced on the Canucks' top line by Matt Cooke
. Nonetheless, the Canucks won their first ever Northwest Division title and went into the 2004 playoffs
as the West's third seed. Facing elimination in game six of the opening round against the Calgary Flames
, Morrison scored there minutes into the contest's third overtime session to force a seventh game. Having skated from the corner boards with the puck, Morrison stickhandled across the net and scored past Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
. The Canucks were then eliminated in game seven; Morrison finished the playoff season with five points. Becoming a restricted free agent
in the off-season, he filed for salary arbitration against the Canucks for the second time in two years. Both sides managed to avoid their hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal on July 27, 2004.
In lieu of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Morrison went overseas to play in the Swedish Elite League
, signing with Linköpings HC
on September 15, 2004. With 44 points (16 goals and 29 assists) over 45 games, he ranked second in team scoring (behind Kristian Huselius
) and sixth in league scoring. After finishing with the second-best regular season in the SEL, Linköping was eliminated in the first round by Södertälje
.
With NHL play set to resume the next season, Morrison re-signed with the Canucks at US$9.6 million over three years. Morrison suffered a torn labrum
in his hip in December 2005, but chose to play through the injury. He finished the season with 19 goals and 56 points over 82 games in 2005–06, as the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs. Head coach Marc Crawford recalled that by the end of the season, the line of Morrison, Bertuzzi and Naslund had been surpassed as the top unit by Daniel
and Henrik Sedin
. In the off-season, Morrison underwent surgery for his hip injury and missed two months of workout and conditioning while recovering. Also in the summer, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers
, marking the end of the West Coast Express line.
Morrison's hip continued to hinder his play in 2006–07, contributing to a slow start early in the season. Later in the campaign, he set a Canucks record for consecutive regular season games played (colloquially known as an "ironman streak"); he had not mised a contest since arriving to the team from New Jersey. Playing against the Los Angeles Kings
on February 22, 2007, he surpassed Trevor Linden
's old club record of 482 consecutive games played (his overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the Devils prior to his trade). Three days later, he became the league's active ironman when Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins
was forced to miss a game with a knee injury. Skrastins had played in 495 consecutive games, while Morrison had 492 at the time. Offensively, he finished the year with his sixth consecutive 50-point season in the NHL with 20 goals and 31 assists over 82 games. The Canucks returned to the post-season and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks
. Morrison recorded 4 points in 12 playoff games.
Morrison began the 2007–08 season with a minor wrist injury suffered during a game during the pre-season; he chose to play through the injury for months. He extended his ironman streak to 542 games before opting for wrist surgery on December 12, 2007. The streak, which had begun on February 27, 2000 with the Devils, was the eleventh longest in NHL history, 404 games short of Doug Jarvis
' NHL record. Morrison was succeeded as the league's active ironman by Flames defenceman Cory Sarich
, who had played in 419 consecutive games at the time of Morrison's injury. After undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games. The following month, Morrison tore the ACL in his right knee during a game on March 28, forcing him to miss the remaining four contests of the regular season. He underwent knee surgery 10 days later. Limited to 39 games due to his injuries, Morrison recorded 9 goals and 25 points in 2007–08. The Canucks finished out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Morrison ended his career with the Canucks ninth overall on the team's all-time scoring list with 393 points in 543 games.
. While it was hoped he could be a replacement for Andy McDonald
as the team's second-line centre, Morrison struggled in his short tenure with the Ducks. He was relegated to the fourth line and made a healthy scratch at various points in the season. It was proposed by the media that he was not yet playing at full capacity on account of his off-season knee surgery. With 22 points in 62 games, he was waived
by the Ducks leading up to the trade deadline
on March 3, 2009. He was claimed the following day by the Dallas Stars. He scored his first goal with the Stars on March 12, the game-winner in a 3–2 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes
. Morrison's 2008–09 total of 31 points between the Ducks and Stars was the lowest output of his career (not including the previous season's injury-shortened campaign and his 11-game 1997–98 season).
In the off-season, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals
to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract on July 10, 2009. He registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
on October 3, 2009. In the final two months of the season, Morrison missed six games due to a leg injury. He finished the campaign with 42 points in 74 games with the Capitals, his highest total in three years. Returning in time for the 2010 playoffs
, he registered one assists in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens
in the first round.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year in July 2010, Morrison did not initially receive any offers. As a result, he accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and attended the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia
. At the conclusion of the pre-season, the Canucks offered Morrison a two-way contract
, which he turned down. The following day, on October 4, 2010, Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000. The Flames had signed Morrison in lieu of numerous injuries at the centre position on their roster. He scored his first goal as a Flame on October 16, in a 5–3 win against the Edmonton Oilers
. After recording 43 points in 66 games, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in March 2011. He hurt his left knee in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks
when opposing defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson
pinned him against the end-boards. At the time of the injury, Morrison was leading the Flames with a plus-minus rating of +13 while centring the team's top line with Jarome Iginla
and Alex Tanguay
. On July 15, 2011, Morrison came to terms with the Flames on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million US.
in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was joined on the team by four other Canucks – Todd Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin
, Ed Jovanovski
and Peter Schaefer. Scoring a goal and three assists over seven games, he helped Canada reach the bronze medal game, where they were defeated 2–1 by Finland. Morrison ranked sixth in team point-scoring and tied for first with Aucoin with a plus-minus rating of +7.
Four years later, Morrison was selected again to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship
in Prague
and Ostrava
, Czech Republic
. He was one of two Canucks players on the roster with Matt Cooke
. In the gold medal game, Morrison registered an assist, helping Canada to a 5–3 win over Sweden. With seven points in nine games, Morrison ranked third in team scoring, behind Dany Heatley
and Daniel Briere.
Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship
in Vienna
and Innsbruck
, Austria
. He was named to the team alongside Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate as there was no timing conflict with the Stanley Cup playoffs
. Reaching the gold medal game for the second consecutive year, Canada was shut out by the Czech national team 3–0. Morrison ranked third on the team in goal-scoring with four; he had no assists.
Several months later, Morrison was invited to Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in August 2005 – a part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin, Italy. He was a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux
, who chose not to attend due to commitments with his club team, the Pittsburgh Penguins
. Morrison was not chosen to the final roster.
, to Ron and Deborah Morrison. He has a sister named Jennifer. His parents had moved to Pitt Meadows from Windsor, Ontario
, in the 1970s. Ron coached his son on minor hockey teams, before Morrison moved away from home at age 17 to play junior hockey in Penticton, British Columbia
.
Morrison and his wife, Erin, have one son, Brayden, and three daughters, Makenna, Kailyn, and Taylor. During his career with the Vancouver Canucks, Morrison resided year-round with his family in Coquitlam
, British Columbia
. He spent a year living with his family in Newport Beach, California
, during his stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
Brendan Morrison (born August 15, 1975) is a Canadian professional ice hockey
centre
for the Calgary Flames
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils
, Vancouver Canucks
, Anaheim Ducks
, Dallas Stars
and Washington Capitals
.
Morrison was selected 39th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
by the Devils after a season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL); he had won rookie of the year honours for the Interior Conference as a member of the Penticton Panthers. Following his draft, he joined the college hockey
ranks with the Michigan Wolverines
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). During his four-year college career, he was named the NCAA Tournament MVP while leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1996 and won the Hobey Baker Award
as the NCAA's player of the year in 1997.
Turning professional in 1997–98
, Morrison was named to the American Hockey League
(AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats
. He played his rookie season in the NHL the following season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2000. He played seven full seasons with the Canucks, which included a club record 534 consecutive regular season games played. As a member of the team's West Coast Express line (with Markus Naslund
and Todd Bertuzzi
), Morrison enjoyed the most successful years of his career, posting three consecutive 60-point seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played one season with Linköpings HC
of the Swedish Elite League. Beginning in 2008, he played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals before joining the Calgary Flames in 2010.
Internationally, Morrison has competed for Team Canada
in three World Championships, winning gold in 2004
and silver in 2005
.
(BCJHL) in 1992–93, recording 94 points (35 goals and 59 assists) over 56 games. He ranked second in team scoring, behind Marcel Sakac
, and was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Interior Conference's rookie of the year. In the off-season, Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils
39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
.
Upon being drafted, he joined the Michigan Wolverines
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). He had also been approached by the Denver Pioneers
and the Maine Black Bears to join their school teams, but ultimately chose Michigan. Registering 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) over 38 games as a freshman, Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season. He played on a line
with fellow freshman Jason Botterill
; the two played together throughout their college career. In the 1994 playoffs, he helped the Wolverines to a CCHA championship. Playing in his sophomore year (1994–95), Morrison improved to 76 points (23 goals and 43 assists) over 39 games and received his first of three consecutive CCHA First Team All-Star selections.
With 72 points over 45 games in 1995–96, Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards. He added 15 points in 7 post-season games to capture his second CCHA championship with the Wolverines. Advancing to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Michigan advanced to the final against the Colorado College Tigers
. Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime
to win the game 3–2. It was the Wolverines' first national title in 32 years. Michigan's championship-winning team that year included five future NHL players – Morrison, Botterill, Blake Sloan
, John Madden
, Marty Turco
, and Bill Muckalt
. In addition to receiving NCAA Tournament MVP honours, Morrison was named to the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Tournament All-American Teams.
Morrison was named team captain
in his senior year. He totalled college personal bests that season of 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points over 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award
as the NCAA's most outstanding player; Morrison had been a finalist for the award the previous two years. The Wolverines repeated as CCHA champions, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA semifinal. Morrison completed his four-year college career as the Wolverines' all-time points leader with 284, surpassing Denny Felsner
. His points total also ranked seventh all-time among NCAA players.
, Bobby Holik
and Petr Sykora
. As such, he played the majority of the 1997–98 season in the American Hockey League
(AHL) with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats
. He scored 35 goals and 84 points over 72 games in the AHL, ranking first in team scoring and eighth in the league overall. He finished second among league rookies in scoring, eight points behind Daniel Briere
of the Springfield Falcons
, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His AHL season included a five-goal game against the Hartford Wolfpack on April 1, 1998; two of his goals came short handed into an empty net
, as part of a 5–2 Albany win. The feat was one goal shy of the AHL's single-game record.
Morrison also made his NHL debut during the 1997–98 season. He was called up to the Devils in December 1997 as a replacement for winger John MacLean, who had been informally suspended by general manager Lou Lamoriello
after requesting to be traded. Playing in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, Morrison scored against goaltender Tom Barasso in a 4–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins
. He received a second call-up in April 1998. Competing in 11 NHL games, he finished the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.
The following season, he secured a full-time roster spot with the Devils. With Doug Gilmour having left the team as a free agent in the 1998 off-season, Morrison was expected to help fill the void at centre. His 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists) over 76 games finished second among league rookies behind Milan Hejduk
of the Colorado Avalanche
. He ranked fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy
voting as the league's rookie of the year with one first-place ballot (the award was given to the Avalanche's Chris Drury
).
Becoming a restricted free agent
in the off-season, Morrison was given a one-year qualifying offer with a reported value of approximately US$
500,000. With the Devils unwilling to increase their offer, he left in September 1999 for Třebíč
, Czech Republic
, where fellow Devils restricted free agent Patrik Elias
was also holding out. While overseas, Morrison and Elias played for Czech teams SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
and HC Pardubice
as they waited for contract negotiations to resume. Morrison was pointless in two games with Trebic and recorded seven points in five games with Pardubice. On October 24, 1999, Morrison and Elias agreed to new contracts with the Devils. After recording 26 points over 44 games with the Devils, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
on March 14, 2000. Morrison was dealt alongside centre Denis Pederson
in exchange for winger Alexander Mogilny
. Both Morrison and Pederson were struggling offensively and were unhappy with their roles on the team.
Morrison finished the 1999–2000 season with 9 points in 12 games with the Canucks for a combined total of 35 points in 56 games. In the off-season, he re-signed with the Canucks. Playing in his first full season with the Canucks in 2000–01, Morrison improved to 54 points (16 goals and 38 assists) over 82 games. He helped the team reach the post-season for the first time since 1996
, as Vancouver secured the eighth and final seed
in the Western Conference
. Facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, the Canucks were swept in four games. Morrison scored his first NHL playoff goal during the series and finished with three points in four games.
The 2001–02 campaign marked the beginning of what was widely considered to be the most effective line combination in the NHL for several years. During a game on January 9, 2002, Morrison replaced Andrew Cassels
as the centreman on the team's first line with wingers Markus Naslund
and Todd Bertuzzi
. He went on to record his three best statistical seasons in the NHL while playing with the two wingers. The latter two finished second and third in NHL scoring in 2001–02, while Morrison tallied 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games. Morrison's playmaking ability complemented his wingers' goal-scoring prowess. Together, they were known for playing a fast and entertaining style; as a result, head coach Marc Crawford
implemented a highly offensive coaching strategy. The trio were dubbed the "West Coast Express
", named after Vancouver's commuter rail service
of the same name.
Despite finishing as the NHL's top-scoring team, the Canucks entering the 2002 playoffs
as the eighth seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
in the opening round, they were eliminated in six games. Morrison notched two assists during the series. After initially failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Canucks in the off-season, Morrison filed for arbitration
. He won his hearing and was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract on August 3, 2002, more than doubling his previous year's salary of US$775,000.
The following season, Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals 46 assists and 71 points in 82 games. He ranked 26th in NHL point-scoring, while Näslund and Bertuzzi finished second and fifth, respectively. He helped the Canucks come within a point of the Northwest Division
title, entering the 2003 playoffs
as the fourth seed in the West. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
in the opening round, they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild
in a seven-game second round series. Morrison had a career-high 4 goals, 7 assists and 11 points over 14 post-season games.
In 2003–04, Morrison registered 22 goals and 60 points over 82 games as all members of the Canucks' top line experienced declines in offensive production. Bertuzzi was replaced on Morrison's wing after he was suspended indefinitely by the league for sucker punching Steve Moore
in a game against the Avalanche in March 2004; he was replaced on the Canucks' top line by Matt Cooke
. Nonetheless, the Canucks won their first ever Northwest Division title and went into the 2004 playoffs
as the West's third seed. Facing elimination in game six of the opening round against the Calgary Flames
, Morrison scored there minutes into the contest's third overtime session to force a seventh game. Having skated from the corner boards with the puck, Morrison stickhandled across the net and scored past Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
. The Canucks were then eliminated in game seven; Morrison finished the playoff season with five points. Becoming a restricted free agent
in the off-season, he filed for salary arbitration against the Canucks for the second time in two years. Both sides managed to avoid their hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal on July 27, 2004.
In lieu of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Morrison went overseas to play in the Swedish Elite League
, signing with Linköpings HC
on September 15, 2004. With 44 points (16 goals and 29 assists) over 45 games, he ranked second in team scoring (behind Kristian Huselius
) and sixth in league scoring. After finishing with the second-best regular season in the SEL, Linköping was eliminated in the first round by Södertälje
.
With NHL play set to resume the next season, Morrison re-signed with the Canucks at US$9.6 million over three years. Morrison suffered a torn labrum
in his hip in December 2005, but chose to play through the injury. He finished the season with 19 goals and 56 points over 82 games in 2005–06, as the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs. Head coach Marc Crawford recalled that by the end of the season, the line of Morrison, Bertuzzi and Naslund had been surpassed as the top unit by Daniel
and Henrik Sedin
. In the off-season, Morrison underwent surgery for his hip injury and missed two months of workout and conditioning while recovering. Also in the summer, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers
, marking the end of the West Coast Express line.
Morrison's hip continued to hinder his play in 2006–07, contributing to a slow start early in the season. Later in the campaign, he set a Canucks record for consecutive regular season games played (colloquially known as an "ironman streak"); he had not mised a contest since arriving to the team from New Jersey. Playing against the Los Angeles Kings
on February 22, 2007, he surpassed Trevor Linden
's old club record of 482 consecutive games played (his overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the Devils prior to his trade). Three days later, he became the league's active ironman when Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins
was forced to miss a game with a knee injury. Skrastins had played in 495 consecutive games, while Morrison had 492 at the time. Offensively, he finished the year with his sixth consecutive 50-point season in the NHL with 20 goals and 31 assists over 82 games. The Canucks returned to the post-season and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks
. Morrison recorded 4 points in 12 playoff games.
Morrison began the 2007–08 season with a minor wrist injury suffered during a game during the pre-season; he chose to play through the injury for months. He extended his ironman streak to 542 games before opting for wrist surgery on December 12, 2007. The streak, which had begun on February 27, 2000 with the Devils, was the eleventh longest in NHL history, 404 games short of Doug Jarvis
' NHL record. Morrison was succeeded as the league's active ironman by Flames defenceman Cory Sarich
, who had played in 419 consecutive games at the time of Morrison's injury. After undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games. The following month, Morrison tore the ACL in his right knee during a game on March 28, forcing him to miss the remaining four contests of the regular season. He underwent knee surgery 10 days later. Limited to 39 games due to his injuries, Morrison recorded 9 goals and 25 points in 2007–08. The Canucks finished out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Morrison ended his career with the Canucks ninth overall on the team's all-time scoring list with 393 points in 543 games.
. While it was hoped he could be a replacement for Andy McDonald
as the team's second-line centre, Morrison struggled in his short tenure with the Ducks. He was relegated to the fourth line and made a healthy scratch at various points in the season. It was proposed by the media that he was not yet playing at full capacity on account of his off-season knee surgery. With 22 points in 62 games, he was waived
by the Ducks leading up to the trade deadline
on March 3, 2009. He was claimed the following day by the Dallas Stars. He scored his first goal with the Stars on March 12, the game-winner in a 3–2 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes
. Morrison's 2008–09 total of 31 points between the Ducks and Stars was the lowest output of his career (not including the previous season's injury-shortened campaign and his 11-game 1997–98 season).
In the off-season, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals
to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract on July 10, 2009. He registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
on October 3, 2009. In the final two months of the season, Morrison missed six games due to a leg injury. He finished the campaign with 42 points in 74 games with the Capitals, his highest total in three years. Returning in time for the 2010 playoffs
, he registered one assists in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens
in the first round.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year in July 2010, Morrison did not initially receive any offers. As a result, he accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and attended the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia
. At the conclusion of the pre-season, the Canucks offered Morrison a two-way contract
, which he turned down. The following day, on October 4, 2010, Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000. The Flames had signed Morrison in lieu of numerous injuries at the centre position on their roster. He scored his first goal as a Flame on October 16, in a 5–3 win against the Edmonton Oilers
. After recording 43 points in 66 games, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in March 2011. He hurt his left knee in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks
when opposing defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson
pinned him against the end-boards. At the time of the injury, Morrison was leading the Flames with a plus-minus rating of +13 while centring the team's top line with Jarome Iginla
and Alex Tanguay
. On July 15, 2011, Morrison came to terms with the Flames on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million US.
in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was joined on the team by four other Canucks – Todd Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin
, Ed Jovanovski
and Peter Schaefer. Scoring a goal and three assists over seven games, he helped Canada reach the bronze medal game, where they were defeated 2–1 by Finland. Morrison ranked sixth in team point-scoring and tied for first with Aucoin with a plus-minus rating of +7.
Four years later, Morrison was selected again to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship
in Prague
and Ostrava
, Czech Republic
. He was one of two Canucks players on the roster with Matt Cooke
. In the gold medal game, Morrison registered an assist, helping Canada to a 5–3 win over Sweden. With seven points in nine games, Morrison ranked third in team scoring, behind Dany Heatley
and Daniel Briere.
Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship
in Vienna
and Innsbruck
, Austria
. He was named to the team alongside Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate as there was no timing conflict with the Stanley Cup playoffs
. Reaching the gold medal game for the second consecutive year, Canada was shut out by the Czech national team 3–0. Morrison ranked third on the team in goal-scoring with four; he had no assists.
Several months later, Morrison was invited to Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in August 2005 – a part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin, Italy. He was a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux
, who chose not to attend due to commitments with his club team, the Pittsburgh Penguins
. Morrison was not chosen to the final roster.
, to Ron and Deborah Morrison. He has a sister named Jennifer. His parents had moved to Pitt Meadows from Windsor, Ontario
, in the 1970s. Ron coached his son on minor hockey teams, before Morrison moved away from home at age 17 to play junior hockey in Penticton, British Columbia
.
Morrison and his wife, Erin, have one son, Brayden, and three daughters, Makenna, Kailyn, and Taylor. During his career with the Vancouver Canucks, Morrison resided year-round with his family in Coquitlam
, British Columbia
. He spent a year living with his family in Newport Beach, California
, during his stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
and Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Morrison was selected 39th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the Devils after a season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL); he had won rookie of the year honours for the Interior Conference as a member of the Penticton Panthers. Following his draft, he joined the college hockey
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
ranks with the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). During his four-year college career, he was named the NCAA Tournament MVP while leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1996 and won the Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
as the NCAA's player of the year in 1997.
Turning professional in 1997–98
1997–98 AHL season
The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
, Morrison was named to the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
. He played his rookie season in the NHL the following season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2000. He played seven full seasons with the Canucks, which included a club record 534 consecutive regular season games played. As a member of the team's West Coast Express line (with Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
), Morrison enjoyed the most successful years of his career, posting three consecutive 60-point seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played one season with Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC
Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden....
of the Swedish Elite League. Beginning in 2008, he played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals before joining the Calgary Flames in 2010.
Internationally, Morrison has competed for Team Canada
Canadian national men's hockey team
The Canadian national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada. The team is overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions. From 1920 until 1963, Canada's international representation was by senior...
in three World Championships, winning gold in 2004
2004 IIHF World Championship
The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 24 and May 9, 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.It was the 68th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .-Qualification Tournament:...
and silver in 2005
2005 IIHF World Championship
- Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round...
.
Amateur career (1992–97)
Morrison played one season with the Penticton Panthers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey LeagueBritish Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...
(BCJHL) in 1992–93, recording 94 points (35 goals and 59 assists) over 56 games. He ranked second in team scoring, behind Marcel Sakac
Marcel Sakac
Marcel Sakáč is a Slovak professional ice hockey goaltender who played with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Extraliga.-References:*...
, and was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Interior Conference's rookie of the year. In the off-season, Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
.
Upon being drafted, he joined the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). He had also been approached by the Denver Pioneers
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey
The University of Denver Men's Hockey Program has been playing NCAA Division I hockey since 1949. Pioneer Hockey is one of the most successful hockey programs in the history of collegiate hockey. The Pioneers rank second in all-time NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships with 7. Only the University...
and the Maine Black Bears to join their school teams, but ultimately chose Michigan. Registering 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) over 38 games as a freshman, Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season. He played on a line
Line (ice hockey)
A line in ice hockey is a term used to describe a group of forwards that play in a group, or shift, during a game.A complete forward line consists of a left wing, a center, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called a "defensive pairing." Typically, a team dresses...
with fellow freshman Jason Botterill
Jason Botterill
-International:-External links:...
; the two played together throughout their college career. In the 1994 playoffs, he helped the Wolverines to a CCHA championship. Playing in his sophomore year (1994–95), Morrison improved to 76 points (23 goals and 43 assists) over 39 games and received his first of three consecutive CCHA First Team All-Star selections.
With 72 points over 45 games in 1995–96, Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards. He added 15 points in 7 post-season games to capture his second CCHA championship with the Wolverines. Advancing to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Michigan advanced to the final against the Colorado College Tigers
Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
The Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Colorado College. The Tigers are a member of Western Collegiate Hockey Association...
. Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
to win the game 3–2. It was the Wolverines' first national title in 32 years. Michigan's championship-winning team that year included five future NHL players – Morrison, Botterill, Blake Sloan
Blake Sloan
Blake Sloan is an American professional ice hockey player currently with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga . Although he played forward in the NHL, the majority of his career has been played as a defenceman....
, John Madden
John Madden
John Madden may refer to:*Jack Madden, basketball referee*John Madden , American former football coach and television announcer*John Madden , ice hockey player...
, Marty Turco
Marty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
, and Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003.-Playing career:...
. In addition to receiving NCAA Tournament MVP honours, Morrison was named to the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Tournament All-American Teams.
Morrison was named team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
in his senior year. He totalled college personal bests that season of 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points over 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
as the NCAA's most outstanding player; Morrison had been a finalist for the award the previous two years. The Wolverines repeated as CCHA champions, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA semifinal. Morrison completed his four-year college career as the Wolverines' all-time points leader with 284, surpassing Denny Felsner
Denny Felsner
Denny Walter Felsner is a retired American professional ice hockey winger.Denny Felsner is the brother of hockey player, Brian Felsner.-Playing career:...
. His points total also ranked seventh all-time among NCAA players.
New Jersey Devils (1997–2000)
Prior to the Devils' training camp, Morrison was signed by the team to a multi-year contract on September 9, 1997. He was seen as an unlikely candidate to secure a roster spot with the Devils; ahead of Morrison on the depth chart were numerous centres, including Doug GilmourDoug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
, Bobby Holik
Bobby Holik
Robert Holík is a retired Czech-American professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League...
and Petr Sykora
Petr Sýkora
Petr Sýkora is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . Sýkora has previously played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild. He is a two-time Stanley Cup...
. As such, he played the majority of the 1997–98 season in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
. He scored 35 goals and 84 points over 72 games in the AHL, ranking first in team scoring and eighth in the league overall. He finished second among league rookies in scoring, eight points behind Daniel Briere
Daniel Brière
Daniel "Danny" Brière is a French Canadian professional ice hockey centre and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . He has previously played with the Phoenix Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres...
of the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His AHL season included a five-goal game against the Hartford Wolfpack on April 1, 1998; two of his goals came short handed into an empty net
Empty net goal
An empty net goal, or colloquially an empty netter , occurs in ice hockey when a team scores a goal into a net with no goaltender present...
, as part of a 5–2 Albany win. The feat was one goal shy of the AHL's single-game record.
Morrison also made his NHL debut during the 1997–98 season. He was called up to the Devils in December 1997 as a replacement for winger John MacLean, who had been informally suspended by general manager Lou Lamoriello
Lou Lamoriello
Louis "Lou" Lamoriello is the CEO, president, and general manager of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
after requesting to be traded. Playing in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, Morrison scored against goaltender Tom Barasso in a 4–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. He received a second call-up in April 1998. Competing in 11 NHL games, he finished the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.
The following season, he secured a full-time roster spot with the Devils. With Doug Gilmour having left the team as a free agent in the 1998 off-season, Morrison was expected to help fill the void at centre. His 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists) over 76 games finished second among league rookies behind Milan Hejduk
Milan Hejduk
Milan Hejduk is a Czech professional ice hockey forward and the captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
of the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. He ranked fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
voting as the league's rookie of the year with one first-place ballot (the award was given to the Avalanche's Chris Drury
Chris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
).
Becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the off-season, Morrison was given a one-year qualifying offer with a reported value of approximately US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500,000. With the Devils unwilling to increase their offer, he left in September 1999 for Třebíč
Trebíc
Třebíč is a city in the Moravian part of the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic.Třebíč is situated 35 km southeast of Jihlava and 65 km west of Brno on the Jihlava River. Třebíč is from 392 to 503 metres above sea-level....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, where fellow Devils restricted free agent Patrik Elias
Patrik Elias
Patrik Eliáš is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . A long-time Devil and currently the team's longest-tenured skater, Eliáš is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most...
was also holding out. While overseas, Morrison and Elias played for Czech teams SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč is an ice hockey team in Třebíč, Czech Republic. They play in the Czech 1.liga, the second level of ice hockey in the country. The club was created in 1928....
and HC Pardubice
HC Pardubice
HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is...
as they waited for contract negotiations to resume. Morrison was pointless in two games with Trebic and recorded seven points in five games with Pardubice. On October 24, 1999, Morrison and Elias agreed to new contracts with the Devils. After recording 26 points over 44 games with the Devils, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
on March 14, 2000. Morrison was dealt alongside centre Denis Pederson
Denis Pederson
Denis Erio Pederson is a professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
in exchange for winger Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93...
. Both Morrison and Pederson were struggling offensively and were unhappy with their roles on the team.
Vancouver Canucks (2000–08)
1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1996. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a...
, as Vancouver secured the eighth and final seed
Seed (sports)
A seed is a preliminary ranking that can be used in arranging a sports tournament. It is called a seed because of the analogy with plants where the seed might grow into a top rank at the end of that tournament, or might instead wither away...
in the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
. Facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, the Canucks were swept in four games. Morrison scored his first NHL playoff goal during the series and finished with three points in four games.
The 2001–02 campaign marked the beginning of what was widely considered to be the most effective line combination in the NHL for several years. During a game on January 9, 2002, Morrison replaced Andrew Cassels
Andrew Cassels
Andrew Cassels is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals...
as the centreman on the team's first line with wingers Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
. He went on to record his three best statistical seasons in the NHL while playing with the two wingers. The latter two finished second and third in NHL scoring in 2001–02, while Morrison tallied 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games. Morrison's playmaking ability complemented his wingers' goal-scoring prowess. Together, they were known for playing a fast and entertaining style; as a result, head coach Marc Crawford
Marc Crawford
Marc Joseph John Crawford is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach, most recently employed by the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He was previously the head coach of three other organizations and won a Stanley Cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche...
implemented a highly offensive coaching strategy. The trio were dubbed the "West Coast Express
West Coast Express (ice hockey)
The West Coast Express was an ice hockey line that played for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks from 2002–2004. Named after Vancouver's commuter rail service, the line consisted of Markus Naslund at left wing, Brendan Morrison at centre, and Todd Bertuzzi playing right wing...
", named after Vancouver's commuter rail service
West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
of the same name.
Despite finishing as the NHL's top-scoring team, the Canucks entering the 2002 playoffs
2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championships of the National Hockey League, was played from April until June. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one to clinch the 10th championship in their history. It was the Hurricanes first ever appearance in the...
as the eighth seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the opening round, they were eliminated in six games. Morrison notched two assists during the series. After initially failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Canucks in the off-season, Morrison filed for arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
. He won his hearing and was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract on August 3, 2002, more than doubling his previous year's salary of US$775,000.
The following season, Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals 46 assists and 71 points in 82 games. He ranked 26th in NHL point-scoring, while Näslund and Bertuzzi finished second and fifth, respectively. He helped the Canucks come within a point of the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
title, entering the 2003 playoffs
2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.The sixteen qualifying teams played...
as the fourth seed in the West. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
in the opening round, they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in a seven-game second round series. Morrison had a career-high 4 goals, 7 assists and 11 points over 14 post-season games.
In 2003–04, Morrison registered 22 goals and 60 points over 82 games as all members of the Canucks' top line experienced declines in offensive production. Bertuzzi was replaced on Morrison's wing after he was suspended indefinitely by the league for sucker punching Steve Moore
Steve Moore
Steven Dean Moore is a former Canadian professional ice hockey center, best known for receiving what turned out to be a career-ending injury as a result of an illegal hit by then Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi....
in a game against the Avalanche in March 2004; he was replaced on the Canucks' top line by Matt Cooke
Matt Cooke
Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...
. Nonetheless, the Canucks won their first ever Northwest Division title and went into the 2004 playoffs
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...
as the West's third seed. Facing elimination in game six of the opening round against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, Morrison scored there minutes into the contest's third overtime session to force a seventh game. Having skated from the corner boards with the puck, Morrison stickhandled across the net and scored past Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
. The Canucks were then eliminated in game seven; Morrison finished the playoff season with five points. Becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the off-season, he filed for salary arbitration against the Canucks for the second time in two years. Both sides managed to avoid their hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal on July 27, 2004.
In lieu of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Morrison went overseas to play in the Swedish Elite League
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
, signing with Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC
Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden....
on September 15, 2004. With 44 points (16 goals and 29 assists) over 45 games, he ranked second in team scoring (behind Kristian Huselius
Kristian Huselius
Kristian Huselius is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.-Early career:...
) and sixth in league scoring. After finishing with the second-best regular season in the SEL, Linköping was eliminated in the first round by Södertälje
Södertälje
Södertälje is a city and the seat of Södertälje Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 86,069 inhabitants in 2010.The industrial city, about south of Stockholm, is the home to truck maker Scania AB and a top 10 pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca....
.
With NHL play set to resume the next season, Morrison re-signed with the Canucks at US$9.6 million over three years. Morrison suffered a torn labrum
Acetabular labrum
The acetabular labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the acetabulum ....
in his hip in December 2005, but chose to play through the injury. He finished the season with 19 goals and 56 points over 82 games in 2005–06, as the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs. Head coach Marc Crawford recalled that by the end of the season, the line of Morrison, Bertuzzi and Naslund had been surpassed as the top unit by Daniel
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , and serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. His identical twin brother Henrik also plays for the Canucks, and is the team captain...
and Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . His identical twin brother Daniel also plays for the Canucks. Having played together throughout their careers, the pair are known for their effectiveness playing off one...
. In the off-season, Morrison underwent surgery for his hip injury and missed two months of workout and conditioning while recovering. Also in the summer, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, marking the end of the West Coast Express line.
Morrison's hip continued to hinder his play in 2006–07, contributing to a slow start early in the season. Later in the campaign, he set a Canucks record for consecutive regular season games played (colloquially known as an "ironman streak"); he had not mised a contest since arriving to the team from New Jersey. Playing against the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
on February 22, 2007, he surpassed Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
's old club record of 482 consecutive games played (his overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the Devils prior to his trade). Three days later, he became the league's active ironman when Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins
Karlis Skrastinš
Kārlis Skrastiņš was a Latvian professional ice hockey player. Skrastins was a member of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and was on board the team plane which crashed on September 7, 2011...
was forced to miss a game with a knee injury. Skrastins had played in 495 consecutive games, while Morrison had 492 at the time. Offensively, he finished the year with his sixth consecutive 50-point season in the NHL with 20 goals and 31 assists over 82 games. The Canucks returned to the post-season and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Morrison recorded 4 points in 12 playoff games.
Morrison began the 2007–08 season with a minor wrist injury suffered during a game during the pre-season; he chose to play through the injury for months. He extended his ironman streak to 542 games before opting for wrist surgery on December 12, 2007. The streak, which had begun on February 27, 2000 with the Devils, was the eleventh longest in NHL history, 404 games short of Doug Jarvis
Doug Jarvis
Douglas M. Jarvis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers in the National Hockey League. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Doug...
' NHL record. Morrison was succeeded as the league's active ironman by Flames defenceman Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, who had played in 419 consecutive games at the time of Morrison's injury. After undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games. The following month, Morrison tore the ACL in his right knee during a game on March 28, forcing him to miss the remaining four contests of the regular season. He underwent knee surgery 10 days later. Limited to 39 games due to his injuries, Morrison recorded 9 goals and 25 points in 2007–08. The Canucks finished out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Morrison ended his career with the Canucks ninth overall on the team's all-time scoring list with 393 points in 543 games.
Post-Vancouver (2008–present)
Morrison signed with the Anaheim Ducks to a one-year, US$2.75 million contract on July 7, 2008. He had received interest from as many as nine NHL teams, including the Canucks, who offered a one-year, US$1.9 million deal prior to Morrison's free agency. Morrison scored his first goal as a Duck on November 7, in a 5–2 loss to the Dallas StarsDallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. While it was hoped he could be a replacement for Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
as the team's second-line centre, Morrison struggled in his short tenure with the Ducks. He was relegated to the fourth line and made a healthy scratch at various points in the season. It was proposed by the media that he was not yet playing at full capacity on account of his off-season knee surgery. With 22 points in 62 games, he was waived
Waivers (NHL)
Waivers is a National Hockey League labor management procedure by which an NHL team makes a professional ice hockey player’s contract and rights available to all other NHL teams. The term refers to the term that other NHL teams 'waive' any claim to a player designated for assignment, re-entry from...
by the Ducks leading up to the trade deadline
NHL trade deadline
The National Hockey League's trade deadline is a date set by the NHL league office after which no trades are allowed for the remainder of the season. The deadline for the 2011–12 NHL season is set for February 27, 2012 at 3 pm EST. Prior to the current CBA, the trade deadline date had been in...
on March 3, 2009. He was claimed the following day by the Dallas Stars. He scored his first goal with the Stars on March 12, the game-winner in a 3–2 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
. Morrison's 2008–09 total of 31 points between the Ducks and Stars was the lowest output of his career (not including the previous season's injury-shortened campaign and his 11-game 1997–98 season).
In the off-season, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract on July 10, 2009. He registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on October 3, 2009. In the final two months of the season, Morrison missed six games due to a leg injury. He finished the campaign with 42 points in 74 games with the Capitals, his highest total in three years. Returning in time for the 2010 playoffs
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, he registered one assists in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in the first round.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year in July 2010, Morrison did not initially receive any offers. As a result, he accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and attended the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Its 2010 population was 37,721 .-Name origin:...
. At the conclusion of the pre-season, the Canucks offered Morrison a two-way contract
Two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
, which he turned down. The following day, on October 4, 2010, Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000. The Flames had signed Morrison in lieu of numerous injuries at the centre position on their roster. He scored his first goal as a Flame on October 16, in a 5–3 win against the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. After recording 43 points in 66 games, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in March 2011. He hurt his left knee in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
when opposing defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson
Niklas Hjalmarsson
Niklas Hjalmarsson is a Swedish ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Hjalmarsson was drafted 108th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks...
pinned him against the end-boards. At the time of the injury, Morrison was leading the Flames with a plus-minus rating of +13 while centring the team's top line with Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
and Alex Tanguay
Alex Tanguay
Alexandre Tanguay is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He has additionally played with the Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL and briefly for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League A in...
. On July 15, 2011, Morrison came to terms with the Flames on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million US.
International play
Morrison debuted with the Canadian national team at the 2000 IIHF World Championship2000 IIHF World Championship
-Group 2 :Played in Amiens-Playoff :Played in Eindhoven-Far East :Played September 3-5, 1999 in Aomori.-First round:Like the previous two years, sixteen nations played in four groups of four...
in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was joined on the team by four other Canucks – Todd Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, Ed Jovanovski
Ed Jovanovski
Edward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
and Peter Schaefer. Scoring a goal and three assists over seven games, he helped Canada reach the bronze medal game, where they were defeated 2–1 by Finland. Morrison ranked sixth in team point-scoring and tied for first with Aucoin with a plus-minus rating of +7.
Four years later, Morrison was selected again to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship
2004 IIHF World Championship
The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 24 and May 9, 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.It was the 68th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .-Qualification Tournament:...
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. He was one of two Canucks players on the roster with Matt Cooke
Matt Cooke
Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...
. In the gold medal game, Morrison registered an assist, helping Canada to a 5–3 win over Sweden. With seven points in nine games, Morrison ranked third in team scoring, behind Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
and Daniel Briere.
Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship
2005 IIHF World Championship
- Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. He was named to the team alongside Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate as there was no timing conflict with the Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
. Reaching the gold medal game for the second consecutive year, Canada was shut out by the Czech national team 3–0. Morrison ranked third on the team in goal-scoring with four; he had no assists.
Several months later, Morrison was invited to Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in August 2005 – a part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
in Turin, Italy. He was a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, who chose not to attend due to commitments with his club team, the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. Morrison was not chosen to the final roster.
Personal life
Morrison was born in Pitt Meadows, British ColumbiaPitt Meadows, British Columbia
Pitt Meadows is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada and a member municipality in Metro Vancouver. Incorporated in 1914, it has a land area of 85.38 square kilometers and a population of 17,410 .-Geography:...
, to Ron and Deborah Morrison. He has a sister named Jennifer. His parents had moved to Pitt Meadows from Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, in the 1970s. Ron coached his son on minor hockey teams, before Morrison moved away from home at age 17 to play junior hockey in Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Its 2010 population was 37,721 .-Name origin:...
.
Morrison and his wife, Erin, have one son, Brayden, and three daughters, Makenna, Kailyn, and Taylor. During his career with the Vancouver Canucks, Morrison resided year-round with his family in Coquitlam
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Coquitlam is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam is mainly a suburban city, and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. According to the 2007 Canadian Census, it is the 5th-largest city in British Columbia...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He spent a year living with his family in Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
, during his stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1990–91 | Ridge Meadows Knights | BCAHA | 77 | 126 | 127 | 253 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Ridge Meadows Lightning | BCAHA | 55 | 56 | 111 | 167 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Penticton Panthers | BCJHL | 56 | 35 | 59 | 94 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Michigan Wolverines Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season... |
NCAA | 38 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 24 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 39 | 23 | 53 | 76 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 6 | ||
| 1995–96 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 35 | 28 | 44 | 72 | 41 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 43 | 31 | 57 | 88 | 52 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
72 | 35 | 49 | 84 | 44 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 19 | ||
| 1997–98 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
11 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 76 | 13 | 33 | 46 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | SK Horacka Slavia Trebic SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč is an ice hockey team in Třebíč, Czech Republic. They play in the Czech 1.liga, the second level of ice hockey in the country. The club was created in 1928.... |
CZE-2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | HC Pardubice HC Pardubice HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is... |
CZE Czech Extraliga The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.... |
6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 44 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 12 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 16 | 38 | 54 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 23 | 44 | 67 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 25 | 46 | 71 | 36 | 14 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 18 | ||
| 2003–04 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 22 | 38 | 60 | 50 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 Elitserien season The 2004–05 Elitserien season was the 30th season of Elitserien. It started on September 20, 2004, with the regular season ending March 1, 2005. The playoffs of the 81st Swedish Championship ended on April 11, with Frölunda HC taking the championship.... |
Linköpings HC Linköpings HC Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden.... |
SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
45 | 16 | 28 | 44 | 50 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | ||
| 2005–06 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 19 | 37 | 56 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 20 | 31 | 51 | 60 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 39 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Anaheim Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 62 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
NHL | 19 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... |
NHL | 74 | 12 | 30 | 42 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 66 | 9 | 34 | 43 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 895 | 196 | 394 | 590 | 440 | 58 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 40 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 2000 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group A :Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2001# -World Championship Group B :... |
Canada | WC | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2004 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna... |
Canada | WC | 9 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 2005 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico... |
Canada | WC | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Int'l totals | 25 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 18 | ||
Junior
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (BCJHL Interior Conference Rookie of the Year) |
1993 |
College
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... Rookie of the Year |
1994 |
| CCHA First All-Star Team | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| CCHA Player of the Year | 1996, 1997 |
| NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States... West First All-American Team |
1995, 1996, 1997 |
| NCAA Championship MVP | 1996 |
| NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team | 1996 |
| Hobey Baker Award Hobey Baker Award The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St... |
1997 |
Professional
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... All-Rookie Team |
1998 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Records
- Michigan WolverinesMichigan WolverinesThe Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
' all-time points leader – 284 (surprassed Denny FelsnerDenny FelsnerDenny Walter Felsner is a retired American professional ice hockey winger.Denny Felsner is the brother of hockey player, Brian Felsner.-Playing career:...
) - Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
record; most consecutive regular season games played – 534 (February 27, 2000 – December 12, 2007; surpassed Trevor LindenTrevor LindenTrevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
)
Transactions
- June 26, 1993 – Selected in the second round, 39th overall, of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft1993 NHL Entry DraftThe 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... - September 9, 1997 – Signed a multi-year contract with the New Jersey Devils
- October 24, 1999 – Re-signed by the New Jersey Devils to a one-year contract
- March 14, 2000 – Traded to the Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
with Denis PedersonDenis PedersonDenis Erio Pederson is a professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
in exchange for Alexander MogilnyAlexander MogilnyAlexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93... - September 2000 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-year, US$4.6 million contract
- August 3, 2002 – Won arbitrationArbitrationArbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
case; re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-year, $4.6 million contract - July 27, 2004 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a one-year contract.
Brendan Morrison (born August 15, 1975) is a Canadian professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
and Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Morrison was selected 39th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the Devils after a season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL); he had won rookie of the year honours for the Interior Conference as a member of the Penticton Panthers. Following his draft, he joined the college hockey
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
ranks with the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). During his four-year college career, he was named the NCAA Tournament MVP while leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1996 and won the Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
as the NCAA's player of the year in 1997.
Turning professional in 1997–98
1997–98 AHL season
The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
, Morrison was named to the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
. He played his rookie season in the NHL the following season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2000. He played seven full seasons with the Canucks, which included a club record 534 consecutive regular season games played. As a member of the team's West Coast Express line (with Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
), Morrison enjoyed the most successful years of his career, posting three consecutive 60-point seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played one season with Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC
Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden....
of the Swedish Elite League. Beginning in 2008, he played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals before joining the Calgary Flames in 2010.
Internationally, Morrison has competed for Team Canada
Canadian national men's hockey team
The Canadian national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada. The team is overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions. From 1920 until 1963, Canada's international representation was by senior...
in three World Championships, winning gold in 2004
2004 IIHF World Championship
The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 24 and May 9, 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.It was the 68th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .-Qualification Tournament:...
and silver in 2005
2005 IIHF World Championship
- Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round...
.
Amateur career (1992–97)
Morrison played one season with the Penticton Panthers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey LeagueBritish Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...
(BCJHL) in 1992–93, recording 94 points (35 goals and 59 assists) over 56 games. He ranked second in team scoring, behind Marcel Sakac
Marcel Sakac
Marcel Sakáč is a Slovak professional ice hockey goaltender who played with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Extraliga.-References:*...
, and was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Interior Conference's rookie of the year. In the off-season, Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
.
Upon being drafted, he joined the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). He had also been approached by the Denver Pioneers
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey
The University of Denver Men's Hockey Program has been playing NCAA Division I hockey since 1949. Pioneer Hockey is one of the most successful hockey programs in the history of collegiate hockey. The Pioneers rank second in all-time NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships with 7. Only the University...
and the Maine Black Bears to join their school teams, but ultimately chose Michigan. Registering 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) over 38 games as a freshman, Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season. He played on a line
Line (ice hockey)
A line in ice hockey is a term used to describe a group of forwards that play in a group, or shift, during a game.A complete forward line consists of a left wing, a center, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called a "defensive pairing." Typically, a team dresses...
with fellow freshman Jason Botterill
Jason Botterill
-International:-External links:...
; the two played together throughout their college career. In the 1994 playoffs, he helped the Wolverines to a CCHA championship. Playing in his sophomore year (1994–95), Morrison improved to 76 points (23 goals and 43 assists) over 39 games and received his first of three consecutive CCHA First Team All-Star selections.
With 72 points over 45 games in 1995–96, Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards. He added 15 points in 7 post-season games to capture his second CCHA championship with the Wolverines. Advancing to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Michigan advanced to the final against the Colorado College Tigers
Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
The Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Colorado College. The Tigers are a member of Western Collegiate Hockey Association...
. Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
to win the game 3–2. It was the Wolverines' first national title in 32 years. Michigan's championship-winning team that year included five future NHL players – Morrison, Botterill, Blake Sloan
Blake Sloan
Blake Sloan is an American professional ice hockey player currently with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga . Although he played forward in the NHL, the majority of his career has been played as a defenceman....
, John Madden
John Madden
John Madden may refer to:*Jack Madden, basketball referee*John Madden , American former football coach and television announcer*John Madden , ice hockey player...
, Marty Turco
Marty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
, and Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003.-Playing career:...
. In addition to receiving NCAA Tournament MVP honours, Morrison was named to the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Tournament All-American Teams.
Morrison was named team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
in his senior year. He totalled college personal bests that season of 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points over 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
as the NCAA's most outstanding player; Morrison had been a finalist for the award the previous two years. The Wolverines repeated as CCHA champions, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA semifinal. Morrison completed his four-year college career as the Wolverines' all-time points leader with 284, surpassing Denny Felsner
Denny Felsner
Denny Walter Felsner is a retired American professional ice hockey winger.Denny Felsner is the brother of hockey player, Brian Felsner.-Playing career:...
. His points total also ranked seventh all-time among NCAA players.
New Jersey Devils (1997–2000)
Prior to the Devils' training camp, Morrison was signed by the team to a multi-year contract on September 9, 1997. He was seen as an unlikely candidate to secure a roster spot with the Devils; ahead of Morrison on the depth chart were numerous centres, including Doug GilmourDoug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
, Bobby Holik
Bobby Holik
Robert Holík is a retired Czech-American professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League...
and Petr Sykora
Petr Sýkora
Petr Sýkora is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . Sýkora has previously played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild. He is a two-time Stanley Cup...
. As such, he played the majority of the 1997–98 season in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
. He scored 35 goals and 84 points over 72 games in the AHL, ranking first in team scoring and eighth in the league overall. He finished second among league rookies in scoring, eight points behind Daniel Briere
Daniel Brière
Daniel "Danny" Brière is a French Canadian professional ice hockey centre and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . He has previously played with the Phoenix Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres...
of the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His AHL season included a five-goal game against the Hartford Wolfpack on April 1, 1998; two of his goals came short handed into an empty net
Empty net goal
An empty net goal, or colloquially an empty netter , occurs in ice hockey when a team scores a goal into a net with no goaltender present...
, as part of a 5–2 Albany win. The feat was one goal shy of the AHL's single-game record.
Morrison also made his NHL debut during the 1997–98 season. He was called up to the Devils in December 1997 as a replacement for winger John MacLean, who had been informally suspended by general manager Lou Lamoriello
Lou Lamoriello
Louis "Lou" Lamoriello is the CEO, president, and general manager of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
after requesting to be traded. Playing in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, Morrison scored against goaltender Tom Barasso in a 4–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. He received a second call-up in April 1998. Competing in 11 NHL games, he finished the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.
The following season, he secured a full-time roster spot with the Devils. With Doug Gilmour having left the team as a free agent in the 1998 off-season, Morrison was expected to help fill the void at centre. His 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists) over 76 games finished second among league rookies behind Milan Hejduk
Milan Hejduk
Milan Hejduk is a Czech professional ice hockey forward and the captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
of the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. He ranked fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
voting as the league's rookie of the year with one first-place ballot (the award was given to the Avalanche's Chris Drury
Chris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
).
Becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the off-season, Morrison was given a one-year qualifying offer with a reported value of approximately US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500,000. With the Devils unwilling to increase their offer, he left in September 1999 for Třebíč
Trebíc
Třebíč is a city in the Moravian part of the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic.Třebíč is situated 35 km southeast of Jihlava and 65 km west of Brno on the Jihlava River. Třebíč is from 392 to 503 metres above sea-level....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, where fellow Devils restricted free agent Patrik Elias
Patrik Elias
Patrik Eliáš is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . A long-time Devil and currently the team's longest-tenured skater, Eliáš is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most...
was also holding out. While overseas, Morrison and Elias played for Czech teams SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč is an ice hockey team in Třebíč, Czech Republic. They play in the Czech 1.liga, the second level of ice hockey in the country. The club was created in 1928....
and HC Pardubice
HC Pardubice
HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is...
as they waited for contract negotiations to resume. Morrison was pointless in two games with Trebic and recorded seven points in five games with Pardubice. On October 24, 1999, Morrison and Elias agreed to new contracts with the Devils. After recording 26 points over 44 games with the Devils, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
on March 14, 2000. Morrison was dealt alongside centre Denis Pederson
Denis Pederson
Denis Erio Pederson is a professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
in exchange for winger Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93...
. Both Morrison and Pederson were struggling offensively and were unhappy with their roles on the team.
Vancouver Canucks (2000–08)
1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1996. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a...
, as Vancouver secured the eighth and final seed
Seed (sports)
A seed is a preliminary ranking that can be used in arranging a sports tournament. It is called a seed because of the analogy with plants where the seed might grow into a top rank at the end of that tournament, or might instead wither away...
in the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
. Facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, the Canucks were swept in four games. Morrison scored his first NHL playoff goal during the series and finished with three points in four games.
The 2001–02 campaign marked the beginning of what was widely considered to be the most effective line combination in the NHL for several years. During a game on January 9, 2002, Morrison replaced Andrew Cassels
Andrew Cassels
Andrew Cassels is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals...
as the centreman on the team's first line with wingers Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
. He went on to record his three best statistical seasons in the NHL while playing with the two wingers. The latter two finished second and third in NHL scoring in 2001–02, while Morrison tallied 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games. Morrison's playmaking ability complemented his wingers' goal-scoring prowess. Together, they were known for playing a fast and entertaining style; as a result, head coach Marc Crawford
Marc Crawford
Marc Joseph John Crawford is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach, most recently employed by the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He was previously the head coach of three other organizations and won a Stanley Cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche...
implemented a highly offensive coaching strategy. The trio were dubbed the "West Coast Express
West Coast Express (ice hockey)
The West Coast Express was an ice hockey line that played for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks from 2002–2004. Named after Vancouver's commuter rail service, the line consisted of Markus Naslund at left wing, Brendan Morrison at centre, and Todd Bertuzzi playing right wing...
", named after Vancouver's commuter rail service
West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
of the same name.
Despite finishing as the NHL's top-scoring team, the Canucks entering the 2002 playoffs
2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championships of the National Hockey League, was played from April until June. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one to clinch the 10th championship in their history. It was the Hurricanes first ever appearance in the...
as the eighth seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the opening round, they were eliminated in six games. Morrison notched two assists during the series. After initially failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Canucks in the off-season, Morrison filed for arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
. He won his hearing and was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract on August 3, 2002, more than doubling his previous year's salary of US$775,000.
The following season, Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals 46 assists and 71 points in 82 games. He ranked 26th in NHL point-scoring, while Näslund and Bertuzzi finished second and fifth, respectively. He helped the Canucks come within a point of the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
title, entering the 2003 playoffs
2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.The sixteen qualifying teams played...
as the fourth seed in the West. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
in the opening round, they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in a seven-game second round series. Morrison had a career-high 4 goals, 7 assists and 11 points over 14 post-season games.
In 2003–04, Morrison registered 22 goals and 60 points over 82 games as all members of the Canucks' top line experienced declines in offensive production. Bertuzzi was replaced on Morrison's wing after he was suspended indefinitely by the league for sucker punching Steve Moore
Steve Moore
Steven Dean Moore is a former Canadian professional ice hockey center, best known for receiving what turned out to be a career-ending injury as a result of an illegal hit by then Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi....
in a game against the Avalanche in March 2004; he was replaced on the Canucks' top line by Matt Cooke
Matt Cooke
Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...
. Nonetheless, the Canucks won their first ever Northwest Division title and went into the 2004 playoffs
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...
as the West's third seed. Facing elimination in game six of the opening round against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, Morrison scored there minutes into the contest's third overtime session to force a seventh game. Having skated from the corner boards with the puck, Morrison stickhandled across the net and scored past Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
. The Canucks were then eliminated in game seven; Morrison finished the playoff season with five points. Becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the off-season, he filed for salary arbitration against the Canucks for the second time in two years. Both sides managed to avoid their hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal on July 27, 2004.
In lieu of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Morrison went overseas to play in the Swedish Elite League
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
, signing with Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC
Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden....
on September 15, 2004. With 44 points (16 goals and 29 assists) over 45 games, he ranked second in team scoring (behind Kristian Huselius
Kristian Huselius
Kristian Huselius is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.-Early career:...
) and sixth in league scoring. After finishing with the second-best regular season in the SEL, Linköping was eliminated in the first round by Södertälje
Södertälje
Södertälje is a city and the seat of Södertälje Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 86,069 inhabitants in 2010.The industrial city, about south of Stockholm, is the home to truck maker Scania AB and a top 10 pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca....
.
With NHL play set to resume the next season, Morrison re-signed with the Canucks at US$9.6 million over three years. Morrison suffered a torn labrum
Acetabular labrum
The acetabular labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the acetabulum ....
in his hip in December 2005, but chose to play through the injury. He finished the season with 19 goals and 56 points over 82 games in 2005–06, as the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs. Head coach Marc Crawford recalled that by the end of the season, the line of Morrison, Bertuzzi and Naslund had been surpassed as the top unit by Daniel
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , and serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. His identical twin brother Henrik also plays for the Canucks, and is the team captain...
and Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . His identical twin brother Daniel also plays for the Canucks. Having played together throughout their careers, the pair are known for their effectiveness playing off one...
. In the off-season, Morrison underwent surgery for his hip injury and missed two months of workout and conditioning while recovering. Also in the summer, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, marking the end of the West Coast Express line.
Morrison's hip continued to hinder his play in 2006–07, contributing to a slow start early in the season. Later in the campaign, he set a Canucks record for consecutive regular season games played (colloquially known as an "ironman streak"); he had not mised a contest since arriving to the team from New Jersey. Playing against the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
on February 22, 2007, he surpassed Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
's old club record of 482 consecutive games played (his overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the Devils prior to his trade). Three days later, he became the league's active ironman when Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins
Karlis Skrastinš
Kārlis Skrastiņš was a Latvian professional ice hockey player. Skrastins was a member of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and was on board the team plane which crashed on September 7, 2011...
was forced to miss a game with a knee injury. Skrastins had played in 495 consecutive games, while Morrison had 492 at the time. Offensively, he finished the year with his sixth consecutive 50-point season in the NHL with 20 goals and 31 assists over 82 games. The Canucks returned to the post-season and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Morrison recorded 4 points in 12 playoff games.
Morrison began the 2007–08 season with a minor wrist injury suffered during a game during the pre-season; he chose to play through the injury for months. He extended his ironman streak to 542 games before opting for wrist surgery on December 12, 2007. The streak, which had begun on February 27, 2000 with the Devils, was the eleventh longest in NHL history, 404 games short of Doug Jarvis
Doug Jarvis
Douglas M. Jarvis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers in the National Hockey League. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Doug...
' NHL record. Morrison was succeeded as the league's active ironman by Flames defenceman Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, who had played in 419 consecutive games at the time of Morrison's injury. After undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games. The following month, Morrison tore the ACL in his right knee during a game on March 28, forcing him to miss the remaining four contests of the regular season. He underwent knee surgery 10 days later. Limited to 39 games due to his injuries, Morrison recorded 9 goals and 25 points in 2007–08. The Canucks finished out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Morrison ended his career with the Canucks ninth overall on the team's all-time scoring list with 393 points in 543 games.
Post-Vancouver (2008–present)
Morrison signed with the Anaheim Ducks to a one-year, US$2.75 million contract on July 7, 2008. He had received interest from as many as nine NHL teams, including the Canucks, who offered a one-year, US$1.9 million deal prior to Morrison's free agency. Morrison scored his first goal as a Duck on November 7, in a 5–2 loss to the Dallas StarsDallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. While it was hoped he could be a replacement for Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
as the team's second-line centre, Morrison struggled in his short tenure with the Ducks. He was relegated to the fourth line and made a healthy scratch at various points in the season. It was proposed by the media that he was not yet playing at full capacity on account of his off-season knee surgery. With 22 points in 62 games, he was waived
Waivers (NHL)
Waivers is a National Hockey League labor management procedure by which an NHL team makes a professional ice hockey player’s contract and rights available to all other NHL teams. The term refers to the term that other NHL teams 'waive' any claim to a player designated for assignment, re-entry from...
by the Ducks leading up to the trade deadline
NHL trade deadline
The National Hockey League's trade deadline is a date set by the NHL league office after which no trades are allowed for the remainder of the season. The deadline for the 2011–12 NHL season is set for February 27, 2012 at 3 pm EST. Prior to the current CBA, the trade deadline date had been in...
on March 3, 2009. He was claimed the following day by the Dallas Stars. He scored his first goal with the Stars on March 12, the game-winner in a 3–2 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
. Morrison's 2008–09 total of 31 points between the Ducks and Stars was the lowest output of his career (not including the previous season's injury-shortened campaign and his 11-game 1997–98 season).
In the off-season, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract on July 10, 2009. He registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on October 3, 2009. In the final two months of the season, Morrison missed six games due to a leg injury. He finished the campaign with 42 points in 74 games with the Capitals, his highest total in three years. Returning in time for the 2010 playoffs
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, he registered one assists in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in the first round.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year in July 2010, Morrison did not initially receive any offers. As a result, he accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and attended the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Its 2010 population was 37,721 .-Name origin:...
. At the conclusion of the pre-season, the Canucks offered Morrison a two-way contract
Two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
, which he turned down. The following day, on October 4, 2010, Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000. The Flames had signed Morrison in lieu of numerous injuries at the centre position on their roster. He scored his first goal as a Flame on October 16, in a 5–3 win against the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. After recording 43 points in 66 games, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in March 2011. He hurt his left knee in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
when opposing defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson
Niklas Hjalmarsson
Niklas Hjalmarsson is a Swedish ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Hjalmarsson was drafted 108th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks...
pinned him against the end-boards. At the time of the injury, Morrison was leading the Flames with a plus-minus rating of +13 while centring the team's top line with Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
and Alex Tanguay
Alex Tanguay
Alexandre Tanguay is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He has additionally played with the Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL and briefly for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League A in...
. On July 15, 2011, Morrison came to terms with the Flames on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million US.
International play
Morrison debuted with the Canadian national team at the 2000 IIHF World Championship2000 IIHF World Championship
-Group 2 :Played in Amiens-Playoff :Played in Eindhoven-Far East :Played September 3-5, 1999 in Aomori.-First round:Like the previous two years, sixteen nations played in four groups of four...
in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was joined on the team by four other Canucks – Todd Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, Ed Jovanovski
Ed Jovanovski
Edward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
and Peter Schaefer. Scoring a goal and three assists over seven games, he helped Canada reach the bronze medal game, where they were defeated 2–1 by Finland. Morrison ranked sixth in team point-scoring and tied for first with Aucoin with a plus-minus rating of +7.
Four years later, Morrison was selected again to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship
2004 IIHF World Championship
The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 24 and May 9, 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.It was the 68th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .-Qualification Tournament:...
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. He was one of two Canucks players on the roster with Matt Cooke
Matt Cooke
Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...
. In the gold medal game, Morrison registered an assist, helping Canada to a 5–3 win over Sweden. With seven points in nine games, Morrison ranked third in team scoring, behind Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
and Daniel Briere.
Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship
2005 IIHF World Championship
- Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. He was named to the team alongside Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate as there was no timing conflict with the Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
. Reaching the gold medal game for the second consecutive year, Canada was shut out by the Czech national team 3–0. Morrison ranked third on the team in goal-scoring with four; he had no assists.
Several months later, Morrison was invited to Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in August 2005 – a part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
in Turin, Italy. He was a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, who chose not to attend due to commitments with his club team, the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. Morrison was not chosen to the final roster.
Personal life
Morrison was born in Pitt Meadows, British ColumbiaPitt Meadows, British Columbia
Pitt Meadows is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada and a member municipality in Metro Vancouver. Incorporated in 1914, it has a land area of 85.38 square kilometers and a population of 17,410 .-Geography:...
, to Ron and Deborah Morrison. He has a sister named Jennifer. His parents had moved to Pitt Meadows from Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, in the 1970s. Ron coached his son on minor hockey teams, before Morrison moved away from home at age 17 to play junior hockey in Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Its 2010 population was 37,721 .-Name origin:...
.
Morrison and his wife, Erin, have one son, Brayden, and three daughters, Makenna, Kailyn, and Taylor. During his career with the Vancouver Canucks, Morrison resided year-round with his family in Coquitlam
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Coquitlam is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam is mainly a suburban city, and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. According to the 2007 Canadian Census, it is the 5th-largest city in British Columbia...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He spent a year living with his family in Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
, during his stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1990–91 | Ridge Meadows Knights | BCAHA | 77 | 126 | 127 | 253 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Ridge Meadows Lightning | BCAHA | 55 | 56 | 111 | 167 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Penticton Panthers | BCJHL | 56 | 35 | 59 | 94 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Michigan Wolverines Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season... |
NCAA | 38 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 24 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 39 | 23 | 53 | 76 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 6 | ||
| 1995–96 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 35 | 28 | 44 | 72 | 41 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 43 | 31 | 57 | 88 | 52 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
72 | 35 | 49 | 84 | 44 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 19 | ||
| 1997–98 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
11 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 76 | 13 | 33 | 46 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | SK Horacka Slavia Trebic SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč is an ice hockey team in Třebíč, Czech Republic. They play in the Czech 1.liga, the second level of ice hockey in the country. The club was created in 1928.... |
CZE-2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | HC Pardubice HC Pardubice HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is... |
CZE Czech Extraliga The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.... |
6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 44 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 12 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 16 | 38 | 54 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 23 | 44 | 67 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 25 | 46 | 71 | 36 | 14 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 18 | ||
| 2003–04 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 22 | 38 | 60 | 50 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 Elitserien season The 2004–05 Elitserien season was the 30th season of Elitserien. It started on September 20, 2004, with the regular season ending March 1, 2005. The playoffs of the 81st Swedish Championship ended on April 11, with Frölunda HC taking the championship.... |
Linköpings HC Linköpings HC Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden.... |
SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
45 | 16 | 28 | 44 | 50 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | ||
| 2005–06 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 19 | 37 | 56 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 20 | 31 | 51 | 60 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 39 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Anaheim Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 62 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
NHL | 19 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... |
NHL | 74 | 12 | 30 | 42 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 66 | 9 | 34 | 43 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 895 | 196 | 394 | 590 | 440 | 58 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 40 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 2000 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group A :Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2001# -World Championship Group B :... |
Canada | WC | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2004 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna... |
Canada | WC | 9 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 2005 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico... |
Canada | WC | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Int'l totals | 25 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 18 | ||
Junior
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (BCJHL Interior Conference Rookie of the Year) |
1993 |
College
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... Rookie of the Year |
1994 |
| CCHA First All-Star Team | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| CCHA Player of the Year | 1996, 1997 |
| NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States... West First All-American Team |
1995, 1996, 1997 |
| NCAA Championship MVP | 1996 |
| NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team | 1996 |
| Hobey Baker Award Hobey Baker Award The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St... |
1997 |
Professional
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... All-Rookie Team |
1998 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Records
- Michigan WolverinesMichigan WolverinesThe Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
' all-time points leader – 284 (surprassed Denny FelsnerDenny FelsnerDenny Walter Felsner is a retired American professional ice hockey winger.Denny Felsner is the brother of hockey player, Brian Felsner.-Playing career:...
) - Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
record; most consecutive regular season games played – 534 (February 27, 2000 – December 12, 2007; surpassed Trevor LindenTrevor LindenTrevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
)
Transactions
- June 26, 1993 – Selected in the second round, 39th overall, of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft1993 NHL Entry DraftThe 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... - September 9, 1997 – Signed a multi-year contract with the New Jersey Devils
- October 24, 1999 – Re-signed by the New Jersey Devils to a one-year contract
- March 14, 2000 – Traded to the Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
with Denis PedersonDenis PedersonDenis Erio Pederson is a professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
in exchange for Alexander MogilnyAlexander MogilnyAlexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93... - September 2000 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-year, US$4.6 million contract
- August 3, 2002 – Won arbitrationArbitrationArbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
case; re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-year, $4.6 million contract - July 27, 2004 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a one-year contract.
Brendan Morrison (born August 15, 1975) is a Canadian professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
and Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Morrison was selected 39th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the Devils after a season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL); he had won rookie of the year honours for the Interior Conference as a member of the Penticton Panthers. Following his draft, he joined the college hockey
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
ranks with the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). During his four-year college career, he was named the NCAA Tournament MVP while leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1996 and won the Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
as the NCAA's player of the year in 1997.
Turning professional in 1997–98
1997–98 AHL season
The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
, Morrison was named to the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
. He played his rookie season in the NHL the following season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2000. He played seven full seasons with the Canucks, which included a club record 534 consecutive regular season games played. As a member of the team's West Coast Express line (with Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
), Morrison enjoyed the most successful years of his career, posting three consecutive 60-point seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played one season with Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC
Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden....
of the Swedish Elite League. Beginning in 2008, he played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals before joining the Calgary Flames in 2010.
Internationally, Morrison has competed for Team Canada
Canadian national men's hockey team
The Canadian national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada. The team is overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions. From 1920 until 1963, Canada's international representation was by senior...
in three World Championships, winning gold in 2004
2004 IIHF World Championship
The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 24 and May 9, 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.It was the 68th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .-Qualification Tournament:...
and silver in 2005
2005 IIHF World Championship
- Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round...
.
Amateur career (1992–97)
Morrison played one season with the Penticton Panthers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey LeagueBritish Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...
(BCJHL) in 1992–93, recording 94 points (35 goals and 59 assists) over 56 games. He ranked second in team scoring, behind Marcel Sakac
Marcel Sakac
Marcel Sakáč is a Slovak professional ice hockey goaltender who played with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Extraliga.-References:*...
, and was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as the Interior Conference's rookie of the year. In the off-season, Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
.
Upon being drafted, he joined the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). He had also been approached by the Denver Pioneers
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey
The University of Denver Men's Hockey Program has been playing NCAA Division I hockey since 1949. Pioneer Hockey is one of the most successful hockey programs in the history of collegiate hockey. The Pioneers rank second in all-time NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships with 7. Only the University...
and the Maine Black Bears to join their school teams, but ultimately chose Michigan. Registering 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) over 38 games as a freshman, Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season. He played on a line
Line (ice hockey)
A line in ice hockey is a term used to describe a group of forwards that play in a group, or shift, during a game.A complete forward line consists of a left wing, a center, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called a "defensive pairing." Typically, a team dresses...
with fellow freshman Jason Botterill
Jason Botterill
-International:-External links:...
; the two played together throughout their college career. In the 1994 playoffs, he helped the Wolverines to a CCHA championship. Playing in his sophomore year (1994–95), Morrison improved to 76 points (23 goals and 43 assists) over 39 games and received his first of three consecutive CCHA First Team All-Star selections.
With 72 points over 45 games in 1995–96, Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards. He added 15 points in 7 post-season games to capture his second CCHA championship with the Wolverines. Advancing to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Michigan advanced to the final against the Colorado College Tigers
Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
The Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Colorado College. The Tigers are a member of Western Collegiate Hockey Association...
. Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
to win the game 3–2. It was the Wolverines' first national title in 32 years. Michigan's championship-winning team that year included five future NHL players – Morrison, Botterill, Blake Sloan
Blake Sloan
Blake Sloan is an American professional ice hockey player currently with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga . Although he played forward in the NHL, the majority of his career has been played as a defenceman....
, John Madden
John Madden
John Madden may refer to:*Jack Madden, basketball referee*John Madden , American former football coach and television announcer*John Madden , ice hockey player...
, Marty Turco
Marty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
, and Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003.-Playing career:...
. In addition to receiving NCAA Tournament MVP honours, Morrison was named to the NCAA West Regional and NCAA Tournament All-American Teams.
Morrison was named team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
in his senior year. He totalled college personal bests that season of 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points over 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
as the NCAA's most outstanding player; Morrison had been a finalist for the award the previous two years. The Wolverines repeated as CCHA champions, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA semifinal. Morrison completed his four-year college career as the Wolverines' all-time points leader with 284, surpassing Denny Felsner
Denny Felsner
Denny Walter Felsner is a retired American professional ice hockey winger.Denny Felsner is the brother of hockey player, Brian Felsner.-Playing career:...
. His points total also ranked seventh all-time among NCAA players.
New Jersey Devils (1997–2000)
Prior to the Devils' training camp, Morrison was signed by the team to a multi-year contract on September 9, 1997. He was seen as an unlikely candidate to secure a roster spot with the Devils; ahead of Morrison on the depth chart were numerous centres, including Doug GilmourDoug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
, Bobby Holik
Bobby Holik
Robert Holík is a retired Czech-American professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League...
and Petr Sykora
Petr Sýkora
Petr Sýkora is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . Sýkora has previously played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild. He is a two-time Stanley Cup...
. As such, he played the majority of the 1997–98 season in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) with the Devils' minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
. He scored 35 goals and 84 points over 72 games in the AHL, ranking first in team scoring and eighth in the league overall. He finished second among league rookies in scoring, eight points behind Daniel Briere
Daniel Brière
Daniel "Danny" Brière is a French Canadian professional ice hockey centre and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . He has previously played with the Phoenix Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres...
of the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His AHL season included a five-goal game against the Hartford Wolfpack on April 1, 1998; two of his goals came short handed into an empty net
Empty net goal
An empty net goal, or colloquially an empty netter , occurs in ice hockey when a team scores a goal into a net with no goaltender present...
, as part of a 5–2 Albany win. The feat was one goal shy of the AHL's single-game record.
Morrison also made his NHL debut during the 1997–98 season. He was called up to the Devils in December 1997 as a replacement for winger John MacLean, who had been informally suspended by general manager Lou Lamoriello
Lou Lamoriello
Louis "Lou" Lamoriello is the CEO, president, and general manager of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
after requesting to be traded. Playing in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, Morrison scored against goaltender Tom Barasso in a 4–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. He received a second call-up in April 1998. Competing in 11 NHL games, he finished the season with 5 goals and 4 assists.
The following season, he secured a full-time roster spot with the Devils. With Doug Gilmour having left the team as a free agent in the 1998 off-season, Morrison was expected to help fill the void at centre. His 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists) over 76 games finished second among league rookies behind Milan Hejduk
Milan Hejduk
Milan Hejduk is a Czech professional ice hockey forward and the captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
of the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. He ranked fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
voting as the league's rookie of the year with one first-place ballot (the award was given to the Avalanche's Chris Drury
Chris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
).
Becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the off-season, Morrison was given a one-year qualifying offer with a reported value of approximately US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500,000. With the Devils unwilling to increase their offer, he left in September 1999 for Třebíč
Trebíc
Třebíč is a city in the Moravian part of the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic.Třebíč is situated 35 km southeast of Jihlava and 65 km west of Brno on the Jihlava River. Třebíč is from 392 to 503 metres above sea-level....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, where fellow Devils restricted free agent Patrik Elias
Patrik Elias
Patrik Eliáš is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . A long-time Devil and currently the team's longest-tenured skater, Eliáš is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most...
was also holding out. While overseas, Morrison and Elias played for Czech teams SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč
SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč is an ice hockey team in Třebíč, Czech Republic. They play in the Czech 1.liga, the second level of ice hockey in the country. The club was created in 1928....
and HC Pardubice
HC Pardubice
HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is...
as they waited for contract negotiations to resume. Morrison was pointless in two games with Trebic and recorded seven points in five games with Pardubice. On October 24, 1999, Morrison and Elias agreed to new contracts with the Devils. After recording 26 points over 44 games with the Devils, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
on March 14, 2000. Morrison was dealt alongside centre Denis Pederson
Denis Pederson
Denis Erio Pederson is a professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
in exchange for winger Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93...
. Both Morrison and Pederson were struggling offensively and were unhappy with their roles on the team.
Vancouver Canucks (2000–08)
1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1996. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a...
, as Vancouver secured the eighth and final seed
Seed (sports)
A seed is a preliminary ranking that can be used in arranging a sports tournament. It is called a seed because of the analogy with plants where the seed might grow into a top rank at the end of that tournament, or might instead wither away...
in the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
. Facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, the Canucks were swept in four games. Morrison scored his first NHL playoff goal during the series and finished with three points in four games.
The 2001–02 campaign marked the beginning of what was widely considered to be the most effective line combination in the NHL for several years. During a game on January 9, 2002, Morrison replaced Andrew Cassels
Andrew Cassels
Andrew Cassels is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals...
as the centreman on the team's first line with wingers Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
and Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
. He went on to record his three best statistical seasons in the NHL while playing with the two wingers. The latter two finished second and third in NHL scoring in 2001–02, while Morrison tallied 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games. Morrison's playmaking ability complemented his wingers' goal-scoring prowess. Together, they were known for playing a fast and entertaining style; as a result, head coach Marc Crawford
Marc Crawford
Marc Joseph John Crawford is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach, most recently employed by the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He was previously the head coach of three other organizations and won a Stanley Cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche...
implemented a highly offensive coaching strategy. The trio were dubbed the "West Coast Express
West Coast Express (ice hockey)
The West Coast Express was an ice hockey line that played for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks from 2002–2004. Named after Vancouver's commuter rail service, the line consisted of Markus Naslund at left wing, Brendan Morrison at centre, and Todd Bertuzzi playing right wing...
", named after Vancouver's commuter rail service
West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the interregional commuter railway in British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, it links Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver, where it interchanges with SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and...
of the same name.
Despite finishing as the NHL's top-scoring team, the Canucks entering the 2002 playoffs
2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championships of the National Hockey League, was played from April until June. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one to clinch the 10th championship in their history. It was the Hurricanes first ever appearance in the...
as the eighth seed in the West for the second consecutive season. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the opening round, they were eliminated in six games. Morrison notched two assists during the series. After initially failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Canucks in the off-season, Morrison filed for arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
. He won his hearing and was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract on August 3, 2002, more than doubling his previous year's salary of US$775,000.
The following season, Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals 46 assists and 71 points in 82 games. He ranked 26th in NHL point-scoring, while Näslund and Bertuzzi finished second and fifth, respectively. He helped the Canucks come within a point of the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
title, entering the 2003 playoffs
2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.The sixteen qualifying teams played...
as the fourth seed in the West. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
in the opening round, they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in a seven-game second round series. Morrison had a career-high 4 goals, 7 assists and 11 points over 14 post-season games.
In 2003–04, Morrison registered 22 goals and 60 points over 82 games as all members of the Canucks' top line experienced declines in offensive production. Bertuzzi was replaced on Morrison's wing after he was suspended indefinitely by the league for sucker punching Steve Moore
Steve Moore
Steven Dean Moore is a former Canadian professional ice hockey center, best known for receiving what turned out to be a career-ending injury as a result of an illegal hit by then Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi....
in a game against the Avalanche in March 2004; he was replaced on the Canucks' top line by Matt Cooke
Matt Cooke
Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...
. Nonetheless, the Canucks won their first ever Northwest Division title and went into the 2004 playoffs
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...
as the West's third seed. Facing elimination in game six of the opening round against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, Morrison scored there minutes into the contest's third overtime session to force a seventh game. Having skated from the corner boards with the puck, Morrison stickhandled across the net and scored past Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
. The Canucks were then eliminated in game seven; Morrison finished the playoff season with five points. Becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the off-season, he filed for salary arbitration against the Canucks for the second time in two years. Both sides managed to avoid their hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal on July 27, 2004.
In lieu of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Morrison went overseas to play in the Swedish Elite League
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
, signing with Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC
Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden....
on September 15, 2004. With 44 points (16 goals and 29 assists) over 45 games, he ranked second in team scoring (behind Kristian Huselius
Kristian Huselius
Kristian Huselius is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.-Early career:...
) and sixth in league scoring. After finishing with the second-best regular season in the SEL, Linköping was eliminated in the first round by Södertälje
Södertälje
Södertälje is a city and the seat of Södertälje Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 86,069 inhabitants in 2010.The industrial city, about south of Stockholm, is the home to truck maker Scania AB and a top 10 pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca....
.
With NHL play set to resume the next season, Morrison re-signed with the Canucks at US$9.6 million over three years. Morrison suffered a torn labrum
Acetabular labrum
The acetabular labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the acetabulum ....
in his hip in December 2005, but chose to play through the injury. He finished the season with 19 goals and 56 points over 82 games in 2005–06, as the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs. Head coach Marc Crawford recalled that by the end of the season, the line of Morrison, Bertuzzi and Naslund had been surpassed as the top unit by Daniel
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , and serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. His identical twin brother Henrik also plays for the Canucks, and is the team captain...
and Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . His identical twin brother Daniel also plays for the Canucks. Having played together throughout their careers, the pair are known for their effectiveness playing off one...
. In the off-season, Morrison underwent surgery for his hip injury and missed two months of workout and conditioning while recovering. Also in the summer, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, marking the end of the West Coast Express line.
Morrison's hip continued to hinder his play in 2006–07, contributing to a slow start early in the season. Later in the campaign, he set a Canucks record for consecutive regular season games played (colloquially known as an "ironman streak"); he had not mised a contest since arriving to the team from New Jersey. Playing against the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
on February 22, 2007, he surpassed Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
's old club record of 482 consecutive games played (his overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the Devils prior to his trade). Three days later, he became the league's active ironman when Avalanche defenceman Karlis Skrastins
Karlis Skrastinš
Kārlis Skrastiņš was a Latvian professional ice hockey player. Skrastins was a member of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and was on board the team plane which crashed on September 7, 2011...
was forced to miss a game with a knee injury. Skrastins had played in 495 consecutive games, while Morrison had 492 at the time. Offensively, he finished the year with his sixth consecutive 50-point season in the NHL with 20 goals and 31 assists over 82 games. The Canucks returned to the post-season and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Morrison recorded 4 points in 12 playoff games.
Morrison began the 2007–08 season with a minor wrist injury suffered during a game during the pre-season; he chose to play through the injury for months. He extended his ironman streak to 542 games before opting for wrist surgery on December 12, 2007. The streak, which had begun on February 27, 2000 with the Devils, was the eleventh longest in NHL history, 404 games short of Doug Jarvis
Doug Jarvis
Douglas M. Jarvis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers in the National Hockey League. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Doug...
' NHL record. Morrison was succeeded as the league's active ironman by Flames defenceman Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, who had played in 419 consecutive games at the time of Morrison's injury. After undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games. The following month, Morrison tore the ACL in his right knee during a game on March 28, forcing him to miss the remaining four contests of the regular season. He underwent knee surgery 10 days later. Limited to 39 games due to his injuries, Morrison recorded 9 goals and 25 points in 2007–08. The Canucks finished out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Morrison ended his career with the Canucks ninth overall on the team's all-time scoring list with 393 points in 543 games.
Post-Vancouver (2008–present)
Morrison signed with the Anaheim Ducks to a one-year, US$2.75 million contract on July 7, 2008. He had received interest from as many as nine NHL teams, including the Canucks, who offered a one-year, US$1.9 million deal prior to Morrison's free agency. Morrison scored his first goal as a Duck on November 7, in a 5–2 loss to the Dallas StarsDallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. While it was hoped he could be a replacement for Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
as the team's second-line centre, Morrison struggled in his short tenure with the Ducks. He was relegated to the fourth line and made a healthy scratch at various points in the season. It was proposed by the media that he was not yet playing at full capacity on account of his off-season knee surgery. With 22 points in 62 games, he was waived
Waivers (NHL)
Waivers is a National Hockey League labor management procedure by which an NHL team makes a professional ice hockey player’s contract and rights available to all other NHL teams. The term refers to the term that other NHL teams 'waive' any claim to a player designated for assignment, re-entry from...
by the Ducks leading up to the trade deadline
NHL trade deadline
The National Hockey League's trade deadline is a date set by the NHL league office after which no trades are allowed for the remainder of the season. The deadline for the 2011–12 NHL season is set for February 27, 2012 at 3 pm EST. Prior to the current CBA, the trade deadline date had been in...
on March 3, 2009. He was claimed the following day by the Dallas Stars. He scored his first goal with the Stars on March 12, the game-winner in a 3–2 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
. Morrison's 2008–09 total of 31 points between the Ducks and Stars was the lowest output of his career (not including the previous season's injury-shortened campaign and his 11-game 1997–98 season).
In the off-season, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract on July 10, 2009. He registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on October 3, 2009. In the final two months of the season, Morrison missed six games due to a leg injury. He finished the campaign with 42 points in 74 games with the Capitals, his highest total in three years. Returning in time for the 2010 playoffs
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, he registered one assists in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in the first round.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year in July 2010, Morrison did not initially receive any offers. As a result, he accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks and attended the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Its 2010 population was 37,721 .-Name origin:...
. At the conclusion of the pre-season, the Canucks offered Morrison a two-way contract
Two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
, which he turned down. The following day, on October 4, 2010, Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000. The Flames had signed Morrison in lieu of numerous injuries at the centre position on their roster. He scored his first goal as a Flame on October 16, in a 5–3 win against the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. After recording 43 points in 66 games, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in March 2011. He hurt his left knee in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
when opposing defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson
Niklas Hjalmarsson
Niklas Hjalmarsson is a Swedish ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Hjalmarsson was drafted 108th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks...
pinned him against the end-boards. At the time of the injury, Morrison was leading the Flames with a plus-minus rating of +13 while centring the team's top line with Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
and Alex Tanguay
Alex Tanguay
Alexandre Tanguay is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He has additionally played with the Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL and briefly for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League A in...
. On July 15, 2011, Morrison came to terms with the Flames on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million US.
International play
Morrison debuted with the Canadian national team at the 2000 IIHF World Championship2000 IIHF World Championship
-Group 2 :Played in Amiens-Playoff :Played in Eindhoven-Far East :Played September 3-5, 1999 in Aomori.-First round:Like the previous two years, sixteen nations played in four groups of four...
in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was joined on the team by four other Canucks – Todd Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, Ed Jovanovski
Ed Jovanovski
Edward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
and Peter Schaefer. Scoring a goal and three assists over seven games, he helped Canada reach the bronze medal game, where they were defeated 2–1 by Finland. Morrison ranked sixth in team point-scoring and tied for first with Aucoin with a plus-minus rating of +7.
Four years later, Morrison was selected again to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship
2004 IIHF World Championship
The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 24 and May 9, 2004 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.It was the 68th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation .-Qualification Tournament:...
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. He was one of two Canucks players on the roster with Matt Cooke
Matt Cooke
Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...
. In the gold medal game, Morrison registered an assist, helping Canada to a 5–3 win over Sweden. With seven points in nine games, Morrison ranked third in team scoring, behind Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
and Daniel Briere.
Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship
2005 IIHF World Championship
- Group B :All times local - Group C :All times local - Group D :All times local -Qualifying round:The top three teams from each group in the First Round advance to the qualifying round...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. He was named to the team alongside Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, all NHL players were available to participate as there was no timing conflict with the Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
. Reaching the gold medal game for the second consecutive year, Canada was shut out by the Czech national team 3–0. Morrison ranked third on the team in goal-scoring with four; he had no assists.
Several months later, Morrison was invited to Team Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp in August 2005 – a part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
in Turin, Italy. He was a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, who chose not to attend due to commitments with his club team, the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. Morrison was not chosen to the final roster.
Personal life
Morrison was born in Pitt Meadows, British ColumbiaPitt Meadows, British Columbia
Pitt Meadows is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada and a member municipality in Metro Vancouver. Incorporated in 1914, it has a land area of 85.38 square kilometers and a population of 17,410 .-Geography:...
, to Ron and Deborah Morrison. He has a sister named Jennifer. His parents had moved to Pitt Meadows from Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, in the 1970s. Ron coached his son on minor hockey teams, before Morrison moved away from home at age 17 to play junior hockey in Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton, British Columbia
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Its 2010 population was 37,721 .-Name origin:...
.
Morrison and his wife, Erin, have one son, Brayden, and three daughters, Makenna, Kailyn, and Taylor. During his career with the Vancouver Canucks, Morrison resided year-round with his family in Coquitlam
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Coquitlam is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam is mainly a suburban city, and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. According to the 2007 Canadian Census, it is the 5th-largest city in British Columbia...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He spent a year living with his family in Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
, during his stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1990–91 | Ridge Meadows Knights | BCAHA | 77 | 126 | 127 | 253 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Ridge Meadows Lightning | BCAHA | 55 | 56 | 111 | 167 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Penticton Panthers | BCJHL | 56 | 35 | 59 | 94 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Michigan Wolverines Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season... |
NCAA | 38 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 24 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 39 | 23 | 53 | 76 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 6 | ||
| 1995–96 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 35 | 28 | 44 | 72 | 41 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA | 43 | 31 | 57 | 88 | 52 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
72 | 35 | 49 | 84 | 44 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 19 | ||
| 1997–98 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
11 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 76 | 13 | 33 | 46 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | SK Horacka Slavia Trebic SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč is an ice hockey team in Třebíč, Czech Republic. They play in the Czech 1.liga, the second level of ice hockey in the country. The club was created in 1928.... |
CZE-2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | HC Pardubice HC Pardubice HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is... |
CZE Czech Extraliga The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.... |
6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 44 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 12 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 16 | 38 | 54 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 23 | 44 | 67 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 25 | 46 | 71 | 36 | 14 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 18 | ||
| 2003–04 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 22 | 38 | 60 | 50 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 Elitserien season The 2004–05 Elitserien season was the 30th season of Elitserien. It started on September 20, 2004, with the regular season ending March 1, 2005. The playoffs of the 81st Swedish Championship ended on April 11, with Frölunda HC taking the championship.... |
Linköpings HC Linköpings HC Linköpings Hockey Club, often known by its acronym LHC or, colloquially among its fans, Cluben, is an ice hockey team from Linköping, Sweden.... |
SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
45 | 16 | 28 | 44 | 50 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | ||
| 2005–06 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 19 | 37 | 56 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 20 | 31 | 51 | 60 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 39 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Anaheim Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 62 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
NHL | 19 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... |
NHL | 74 | 12 | 30 | 42 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 66 | 9 | 34 | 43 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 895 | 196 | 394 | 590 | 440 | 58 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 40 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 2000 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group A :Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2001# -World Championship Group B :... |
Canada | WC | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2004 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna... |
Canada | WC | 9 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 2005 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico... |
Canada | WC | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Int'l totals | 25 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 18 | ||
Junior
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (BCJHL Interior Conference Rookie of the Year) |
1993 |
College
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... Rookie of the Year |
1994 |
| CCHA First All-Star Team | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| CCHA Player of the Year | 1996, 1997 |
| NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States... West First All-American Team |
1995, 1996, 1997 |
| NCAA Championship MVP | 1996 |
| NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team | 1996 |
| Hobey Baker Award Hobey Baker Award The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St... |
1997 |
Professional
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... All-Rookie Team |
1998 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Records
- Michigan WolverinesMichigan WolverinesThe Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
' all-time points leader – 284 (surprassed Denny FelsnerDenny FelsnerDenny Walter Felsner is a retired American professional ice hockey winger.Denny Felsner is the brother of hockey player, Brian Felsner.-Playing career:...
) - Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
record; most consecutive regular season games played – 534 (February 27, 2000 – December 12, 2007; surpassed Trevor LindenTrevor LindenTrevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
)
Transactions
- June 26, 1993 – Selected in the second round, 39th overall, of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft1993 NHL Entry DraftThe 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... - September 9, 1997 – Signed a multi-year contract with the New Jersey Devils
- October 24, 1999 – Re-signed by the New Jersey Devils to a one-year contract
- March 14, 2000 – Traded to the Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
with Denis PedersonDenis PedersonDenis Erio Pederson is a professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
in exchange for Alexander MogilnyAlexander MogilnyAlexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93... - September 2000 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-year, US$4.6 million contract
- August 3, 2002 – Won arbitrationArbitrationArbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
case; re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-year, $4.6 million contract - July 27, 2004 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a one-year contract.
- August 5, 2005 – Re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a three-year, $9.6 million contract
- July 7, 2008 – Signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
- March 4, 2009 – Placed on waiversWaivers (NHL)Waivers is a National Hockey League labor management procedure by which an NHL team makes a professional ice hockey player’s contract and rights available to all other NHL teams. The term refers to the term that other NHL teams 'waive' any claim to a player designated for assignment, re-entry from...
by the Anaheim Ducks; claimed by the Dallas StarsDallas StarsThe Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... - July 10, 2009 – Signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
- October 4, 2010 – Signed a one-year, $725,000 contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Calgary FlamesCalgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
- July 15, 2011 - Re-signed by the Calgary FlamesCalgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
to a one-year contract, worth $1.25 million