Topic: Brendan Morrison

Brendan Morrison (born August 15, 1975) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for the Calgary Flames. Former teams include: the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, the Vancouver Canucks, for whom he has played the majority of his career, and the New Jersey Devils, who had originally drafted him in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. During his college hockey career, he received the Hobey Baker Award with the Michigan Wolverines.

After a 94-point season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL), Morrison was drafted by the New Jersey Devils 39th overall in the 2nd round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Upon being drafted, he played four successful seasons of college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year in 1994 after a 48-point freshman year in 38 games. He then received his first of three CCHA First Team All-Star selections following his sophomore year in 1995. The following year, he received the first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year honours, while leading Michigan to the 1996 NCAA Championship. He also received the tournament MVP award. In his senior year, he totalled 31 goals, 57 assists and 88 points in 43 games, culminating in a Hobey Baker Award, awarded annually to the best NCAA ice hockey player.

In 1997–98, Morrison began his professional career, playing mostly for the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL). He finished the season with 84 points – ninth overall in league scoring and second among rookies. He was edged out by Danny Brière, who recorded 92 points, for Rookie of the Year honours, but was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. That same season, he made his NHL debut with the Devils. He was called up and played in his first NHL game on December 4, 1997, – a 4-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins – and scored his first NHL goal against Tom Barasso. He finished the season with 9 points in 11 games. The following year, he landed a full-time spot on the Devils' roster and came fifth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting, with one first-place vote. Morrison played in New Jersey until March 14, 2000, when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks along with Denis Pederson in exchange for Alexander Mogilny.