Brendan Morrison

morrison pic

Born in: N. Vancouver, British Columbia on August 12, 1975
Age: 23
Height: 5'11
Weight: 185
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 1993-2nd round, 39th overall by the NJ Devils

Following a highly successful college hockey career with the UM wolverines, this year Brendan enjoyed a very successful rookie season with Albany of the AHL, finishing 2nd in rookie scoring and 8th overall with 84 points. Called up several times by New Jersey, Brendan played in some play-off games and scored his 1st NHL goal. He will likely find himself in a Devils uniform permantly next year under a (hopefully) more offensive minded coach in New Jersey.

DEVILS PLAY-OFF STATS

News

December 8, 1998
Magazine appearance-
Just to let y'all know that Brendan is on the back cover of the December issue of Beckett Hockey!

October 25, 1998
3 points, 5 games-
Brendan is off to a pretty good start. Despite all the comparisons, Brendan says he's not having a problem with pressure and all the comparisons between him and Gilmour. He is, after all, 23 and not 18. He's been picking up the pace lately, scoring his 1st goal a few days ago, and picking up two assists yesterday in a game against the Bruins. The devils have won their last two and so far are carrying a .500 record.

October 7, 1998
It's only pre-season-
Pre-season is almost over, and with it, maybe Brendan can shake off this so-called "slump" of his. OK, so the guy scored 2 points in 5 exhibition games. Is that really so bad? Everyone in the media is expecting... well, if not expecting, at least hoping that Mo can help fill in Gilmour's shoes. (Gilmour was traded to the Hawks in the off season, duh) He's pencilled in as the #2 center behind Bobbi Holik, and will be given every opportunity to prove himself in the regular season. So let's just sit back and see what the kid can do. (Article added below)

May 28, 1998
Rats bow out to Philly-
(Source: Time Union Sports) No not to the flyers, but to the Phantoms, the baby flyers. Home ice meant nothing in game 6, where Albany was thoroughly outmuscled by their opponents. The Philadelphia Phantoms were the best team in the American Hockey League's regular season, but it was their adaptation to a defensive style that has brought them success in the playoffs and Monday night ended the Albany River Rats' season. Three goals in a 10-minute span of the second period provided all the action in a 3-0 Philadelphia victory before 2,970 at Pepsi Arena. The Phantoms won the best-of-7 semifinal series 4-2 and will meet Saint John in the Calder Cup final beginning Saturday night in Philly. Albany goalie Shulmistra said after the game, "It's very challenging for a goaltender. It's a tough play. I rely on my team to cover the back door, and they rely on me to make the save. It's unfortunate we got beat. Give them credit, they execute."

May 24, 1998
Rats stave off elimination-
The Rats pulled off a 4-3 win last night to force a game six out of the philadelphia phantoms. Brendan was serving a one game suspension for match penalty in game 5, so he watched from the press box and provided color commentary on the radio broadcast. So far in the series Brendan has scored 2 goals and 1 assist, and hopes to pick up the pace to tie the series and force a deciding game 7. "I was a lot more nervous up there than I am on the ice," Morrison said. "On the ice you can sort of control things. Up there, you can't do anything." Vadim Sharifijanov scored the winning goal with 1:10 left in the game, and the series is now headed back home with the phantoms holding a 3-2 lead.

May 13, 1998
The season continues-
The baby devils are still very much alive in the Calder Cup play-offs, in fact it would be no stretch to predict they make it all the way to the finals. They wrapped up their series with Hamilton last week, sweeping them convincingly, and will next play the Philadelphia Phantoms in the western conference finals. So far, Brendan has scored 1 goal and 3 assists in 3 games for Albany...(this is going by boxscores, I haven't been able to find any AHL play-off stats ANYWHERE). Nicole Weiss from hockey's future has an interesting article on hobey baker winners you should check out... linked below.

NEWS CLIPS ARCHIVE

Articles

December 6, 1998: Rookie Devil Breaks out
October 24, 1998: Mo Goal Huge
October 17, 1998: Morrison Takes a seat
October 11, 1998: Young Devil in spotlight
October 7, 1998: Still waiting for Mo
May, 1998: The Curse of the Hobey
April 24, 1998: Instant offense
April 23, 1998: Morrison odd man out
April 23, 1998: Morrison bides his time
April 3, 1998: Morrison hopes to give Devils a lift
February 25, 1998: AHL All Star game report
February 25, 1998: AHL All star skills competition report
February 25, 1998: AHL All Star photo gallery--incl. a pic of Brendan
December 5, 1997: Morrison replaces MacLean
September 9, 1997: Morrison Signs with New Jersey Devils
March 29, 1997: U-M's Morrison takes home Hobey Baker Award
March 28, 1997: Interview after Hobey Baker Awards Ceremony