Brendan Morrison | #7 Height: 5'11 Weight: 180 Birthdate: Aug 12, 1975 Birthplace: Pitt Meadows, B.C. Position: C Acquired: Traded by the New Jersey Devils with Denis Pederson to the Vancouver Canucks for Alexander Mogilny on March 14, 2000. Background: Morrison, selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (39th pick overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, played with Michigan of the CCHA from 1993 until 1997. He won the Hobey Baker Award in 1996-97 and was a finalist three other times. He was the CCHA Rookie of the Year in 1993-94 and led the league in scoring for three years (1994-95 to 1996-97). His impressive hockey resume also includes CCHA First Team All-Star (1994-95 to 1996-97), CCHA Player of the Year (1995-96, 1996-97), NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1995-96) and CCHA Tournament Most Valuable Player (1996-97).



Born in Pitt Meadows, B.C., Brendan Morrison was chosen 39th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. After he enjoyed a fine year with Penticton of the BCJHL, Morrison went on to an exemplary four years with the University of Michigan. The talented centre topped the CCHA in scoring three straight years and led the Wolverines to the NCAA title in 1996. He was the winner of the Hobey Baker Award in 1997 and was a three-time selection to the CCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West First All-American Team. Morrison spent most of his first pro season in the AHL with the Albany River Rats but played a regular shift with New Jersey in 1998-99. He scored 46 points and played sound defence that season but the Devils were deep at forward. The emergence of rookie Scott Gomez in 1999-00 sealed Morrison's fate and he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks with Denis Pederson for Alexander Mogilny. The young pivot scored 54 points and was solid at both ends of the ice while helping the Canucks reach the playoffs.


An important two-way player with the Canucks, Morrison's speed and anticipation landed him significant time on both specialty units. Since his arrival in Vancouver, Morrison has been one of the team's more durable and consistent players, establishing career highs in goals (25), assists (46) and points (71) during the 2002-03 season. On the international stage, the former Wolverine represented Canada at the World Championships (2000, 2004 and 2005).





Song for the day - "Departure Bay" - DIANA KRALL