Morrison seeks Disney ending with Anaheim
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Leaving Vancouver wasn’t easy for Brendan Morrison. Not only did the smart 33-year-old centerman spend eight productive seasons with the Canucks, but he’s also a native Vancouver son. So when he returned to GM Place for the first time as a member of the Anaheim Ducks in a 4-3 OT win over the Canucks on October 5, it was a strange feeling.
“I walked past the Canucks locker room instead of going in, and that was a really weird feeling,” Morrison told Eishockey News. “I felt like I wasn’t really in the game mentally. But I’m glad it’s over. It wasn’t a huge deal. Lots of guys have to go through it.”
When Morrison scored the game’s first goal, he heard a smattering of boos. He’ll happily take the abuse from opposing fans if he can rediscover his offensive game.
The 84-kg, 180-cm veteran was limited to nine goals and 16 assists in 39 games last year due to a wrist injury and a torn ACL. But Anaheim GM Brian Burke still gave Morrison a one-year, $2.75-million free agent deal on July, hoping he’ll rebound to the 50-point plateau he’s attained in six previous NHL seasons.
Morrison is expected to center a line with rookie forward Bobby Ryan, the #2 overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, and Teemu Selanne, the legendary “Finnish Flash” who inked a two-year deal with the Ducks in late September.
“It’s a good fit,” Morrison said. “I really like my linemates. There’s still room for improvement, but I think we’re starting to click as time goes by.”
Whether you’re talking about Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry or Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, just about every key player from the 2007 Stanley Cup team is still with the Ducks. And that’s got Morrison excited.
“The main reason I came to Anaheim is that I believe they have a team that can win the Cup this year,” said Morrison. “We’ve got a lot of depth. When you look around the room, you know that if everyone in here plays to his potential, we can win. It’s not like we have to add one or two pieces.”
Meanwhile, Vancouver fans are adjusting to life without any members of the famous “West Coast Express” line that dominated the NHL offensively early in the millennium. Morrison had great chemistry with wingers Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi, and his personal production peaked at 71 points in 2002-03. But this year, Naslund will suit up for the New York Rangers, and Bertuzzi has joined Vancouver’s divisional rivals from Calgary.
“I talked to Nazzy a bit during training camp, and I talked to Bert when he signed in Calgary,” said Morrison. “Bert’s already been with a few different teams since he left [Florida, Detroit, Anaheim], but for Nazzy, like me, it’s a fresh start. It kind of revitalizes you and gets you excited.”
Thinking closer to home, Morrison is pleased about how joining a new organization has affected his wife Erin and his three kids, Brayden, Makenna, and Kailyn.
“Family-wise, the kids have really enjoyed the transition to Anaheim,” said Morrison. “That’s the biggest concern when you do make a move: how is your family going to enjoy it? If they’re not having a good time, you can struggle mentally. But they love it. That’s been very positive.”
The traditional cry of the North American pro athlete after winning a championship is “I’m going to Disneyland!” Morrison will hope to take his family there with the Stanley Cup in tow this spring
HockeyAdventure.com brings you the best of Lucas Aykroyd's current blog entries and archived articles. Based in Vancouver, Aykroyd has written about NHL, international, and junior hockey for The Hockey News, The Sporting News, the NHL Yearbook, Rinkside, NHL.com, Eishockey News, and Prospects Hockey. As an editor and journalist, he has covered three Olympics, ten World Championships, three World Junior Championships, one World Women's Championship, and one World U18 Championship for IIHF.com and HockeyCanada.ca. He was one of 56 experts chosen to vote for the IIHF's Centennial All-Star Team.
No. 1 — November 5th, 2010 at 2:20 am
Thanks a lot for sharing. You have done a brilliant job. Your article is truly relevant to my study at this moment, and I am really happy I discovered your website. However, I would like to see more details about this topic. nike shox
No. 2 — November 9th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Very relevant information. Great work. Regularly I do not make posts on blogs, but I have to say that this posting really forced me to do so. Really awesome post
No. 3 — November 28th, 2010 at 1:04 am
Extremely well-written article you wrote here. As one blogger to my fellow one, I recognize how challenging and how much energy it takes to come up something tangible and good. regard.
No. 4 — April 18th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Where do you find all that information? I read your blog with great interest!
No. 5 — April 26th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Thanks for every post from your website. I like everything you write, because we have common interests. So I’m always glad to visit your site!!;)
No. 6 — May 20th, 2011 at 1:23 am
Clothing brands and liquors won’t earn the public’s interest without a nude poster on its starry billboard in Times Square
http://www.abercrombiesale.uk.com
No. 7 — June 2nd, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Your article looks great! I love it.Thanks for you sharing.
No. 8 — June 2nd, 2011 at 11:23 pm
I read your article with great interest.Thanks for you sharing.
No. 9 — June 2nd, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Your article looks great!Thanks for you sharing. I love it.
No. 10 — June 9th, 2011 at 12:41 am
A great article written with great hard work…i must say….a great work of your which shows…I like your site its quite informative and i would like to come here again as i get some time from my studies.And I will share it with my friends.
No. 11 — June 9th, 2011 at 1:25 am
This post has helped me gain lots of knowledge. Good news for you!
No. 12 — June 9th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
No matter in functionality or in appearance, Canada goose clothes perform well. Furthermore, Canada goose collections offer some new and special styles of canada goose coats in 2011. Therefore, the people who are interested in canada goose will get satisfaction from Canada goose collections; the buyers will never regret to buy Canada goose after they experience the Canada goose coats. [Ling]
No. 13 — June 12th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
It is nice to know this. mac lipstickThanks for the time and effort. It is well appreciated. More to come.
No. 14 — June 13th, 2011 at 1:48 am
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.
No. 15 — June 13th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Wonderful site, where did you come up with the information in this article? I’m happy I found it though, ill be checking back soon to see what other articles you have.
No. 16 — June 23rd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Regularly I do not make posts on blogs, but I have to say that this Male golfers commonly put on khaki jeans and polo shirts obtaining a collar. cheap oakley sunglasses I wouldn’t suggest purchasing your golfing clothing with your the video game professional posting really forced me to do so. Really awesome post
No. 17 — June 23rd, 2011 at 11:59 pm
This is a good article and offer some helpful information for me,thank you!
No. 18 — June 26th, 2011 at 11:49 pm
some helpful information for me,thank you! Bear in mind.
cheap new era hatsI noticed a plenty information today to the internet
No. 19 — June 26th, 2011 at 11:49 pm
I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.course this desire is jua fortune
Oakley Sunglasses outlet I noticed a plenty information today to the internet
No. 20 — June 26th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
obtaining a collar. cheap oakley sunglasses I wouldn’t suggest purchasing your golfing clothing with your the video game professional
No. 21 — June 27th, 2011 at 1:21 am
Our Christian Louboutin Outlet online store offers a variety of styles of shoes. Our website offers a variety of styles of shoes, these Christian Louboutin Online shoes are the favorite of girls. They are the best choice for you most to fashion. These Christian Louboutin Outlet Online shoes are one of our shops are selling shoes.
No. 22 — July 4th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Check Our Our Current Sale and NHL Jerseys For Sale
No. 23 — July 6th, 2011 at 1:21 am
Good article!!The author of the great!
nice sharing article..
No. 24 — July 6th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
http://www.beachesbody.com
No. 25 — July 8th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I am totally agree with your oppinion.this blog post is very encouraging to people who want to know these topics.
adirondack chairs