Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brendan Morrison

How Brendan Morrison built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Brendan Morrison is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams including the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, and Chicago Blackhawks. He had a notable career as a centre, playing for various teams over his professional tenure.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1992: Joined Penticton Panthers

In 1992, Brendan Morrison played for the Penticton Panthers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL).

1993: Joined Michigan Wolverines

In 1993, Brendan Morrison joined the Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

1993: Drafted by the New Jersey Devils

In 1993, Brendan Morrison was selected 39th overall in the NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils after a successful season in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

1993: Drafted to NHL

In 1993, Brendan Morrison was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.

1994: Named CCHA Rookie of the Year

In 1994, Brendan Morrison was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year for the 1993–94 season.

1995: Received CCHA Player of the Year

In 1995, Brendan Morrison received his first of back-to-back CCHA Player of the Year awards while playing hockey for the Michigan Wolverines.

1996: Won NCAA Championship

In 1996, Brendan Morrison and the Michigan Wolverines won the NCAA Tournament, with Morrison scoring the championship-winning goal and earning MVP honors.

1996: Canucks in Postseason

In 1996, Canucks reached the postseason.

September 9, 1997: Signed with the New Jersey Devils

On September 9, 1997, Brendan Morrison was signed by the New Jersey Devils to a multi-year contract.

December 4, 1997: NHL Debut

On December 4, 1997, Brendan Morrison made his NHL debut and scored against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

December 1997: First NHL Call-Up

In December 1997, Brendan Morrison received his first call-up to the New Jersey Devils as a replacement for John MacLean.

1997: Early Career

Brendan Morrison played 11 games in the 1997-98 season.

1997: Turning Professional

In 1997, Brendan Morrison turned professional and was named to the American Hockey League (AHL) All-Rookie Team as a member of the Albany River Rats.

1997: Won Hobey Baker Award

In 1997, Brendan Morrison won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's player of the year while playing college ice hockey.

April 1, 1998: Five-Goal Game in AHL

On April 1, 1998, while playing in the AHL, Brendan Morrison scored five goals in a game against the Hartford Wolfpack.

April 1998: Second NHL Call-Up

In April 1998, Brendan Morrison received a second call-up to the NHL.

1998: Secured Full-Time Roster Spot

In 1998, Brendan Morrison secured a full-time roster spot with the New Jersey Devils and finished second among NHL rookies in points.

September 1999: Left for Czech Republic

In September 1999, Brendan Morrison left for Třebíč, Czech Republic, due to contract disputes with the New Jersey Devils.

October 24, 1999: Agreed to New Contract

On October 24, 1999, Brendan Morrison agreed to a new contract with the New Jersey Devils after holding out in the Czech Republic.

1999: End of 1999 Season

Brendan Morrison finished the 1999-2000 season with nine points in 12 games with the Canucks for a combined total of 35 points in 56 games.

February 27, 2000: Ironman Streak Begins

On February 27, 2000, Brendan Morrison began his ironman streak with the New Jersey Devils, which lasted until December 12, 2007.

March 14, 2000: Traded to Vancouver Canucks

On March 14, 2000, Brendan Morrison was traded to the Vancouver Canucks.

March 2000: Traded to Vancouver Canucks

In March 2000, Brendan Morrison was traded from the New Jersey Devils to the Vancouver Canucks.

2000: IIHF World Championship

In 2000, Brendan Morrison debuted with the Canadian national team at the IIHF World Championship in Saint Petersburg, where Canada was defeated in the bronze medal game by Finland.

2000: Re-signed with Canucks

In 2000, Brendan Morrison re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks and improved to 54 points in his first full season with them.

2001: Effective Line Combination

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.

January 9, 2002: Formation of West Coast Express Line

On January 9, 2002, Brendan Morrison joined Markus Näslund and Todd Bertuzzi to form the "West Coast Express" line, marking a significant moment in his career.

August 3, 2002: Arbitration Award

On August 3, 2002, Brendan Morrison was awarded a two-year, US$4.6 million contract after winning his arbitration hearing with the Vancouver Canucks.

2003: Career-High Season

In 2003, Brendan Morrison recorded career-highs with 25 goals, 46 assists, and 71 points in 82 games.

2003: Offensive Decline

In 2003-04, all members of the Canucks' top line, including Brendan Morrison, experienced declines in offensive production.

March 2004: Bertuzzi Suspension

In March 2004, Todd Bertuzzi was suspended, leading to Matt Cooke replacing him on the Canucks' top line with Brendan Morrison.

July 27, 2004: Avoided Arbitration

On July 27, 2004, Brendan Morrison and the Canucks avoided a second arbitration hearing by agreeing to a one-year deal.

September 15, 2004: Signed with Linköpings HC

On September 15, 2004, Brendan Morrison signed with Linköpings HC of the Swedish Elite League due to the NHL lockout.

2004: IIHF World Championship Selection

Brendan Morrison was selected to the Canadian team for the 2004 IIHF World Championship in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.

2004: Played in Swedish Elite League

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Brendan Morrison played one season with Linköpings HC of the Swedish Elite League.

2004: World Championship Gold

In 2004, Brendan Morrison won a gold medal playing for Canada in the World Championships.

August 2005: Olympic Orientation Camp Invitation

In August 2005, Brendan Morrison was invited to Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp as a late addition, replacing Mario Lemieux, as part of the selection process for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

December 2005: Hip Injury

In December 2005, Brendan Morrison suffered a torn labrum in his hip but continued to play through the injury.

2005: IIHF World Championship Appearance

Brendan Morrison made his second consecutive tournament appearance at the 2005 IIHF World Championship in Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria, where Canada reached the gold medal game but was shut-out by the Czech Republic, 3–0.

2005: World Championship Silver

In 2005, Brendan Morrison won a silver medal playing for Canada in the World Championships.

2006: Winter Olympics Selection

Brendan Morrison was not chosen to the final roster for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

February 22, 2007: Surpassed Trevor Linden's Record

On February 22, 2007, playing against the Los Angeles Kings, Brendan Morrison surpassed Trevor Linden's club record of 482 consecutive games played. His overall streak was at 491 games, including eight contests played with the New Jersey Devils prior to his trade.

December 12, 2007: Wrist Surgery

On December 12, 2007, Brendan Morrison opted for wrist surgery, ending his ironman streak at 542 games, the 11th longest in NHL history, which had begun on February 27, 2000, with the New Jersey Devils.

December 2007: Wrist Surgery

In December 2007, Brendan Morrison underwent wrist surgery and returned to the Canucks lineup in February 2008, having missed 38 games.

February 2008: Return from Surgery

In February 2008, after undergoing wrist surgery in December 2007, Brendan Morrison returned to the Canucks lineup, having missed 38 games.

July 7, 2008: Signed with the Anaheim Ducks

On July 7, 2008, Brendan Morrison signed a one-year, US$2.75 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

2008: Played with Anaheim Ducks

Beginning in 2008, Brendan Morrison played stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals.

March 3, 2009: Waived by the Ducks

On March 3, 2009, leading up to the NHL trade deadline, Brendan Morrison was waived by the Anaheim Ducks.

July 10, 2009: Signed with the Washington Capitals

On July 10, 2009, Brendan Morrison signed a one-year, US$1.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals as an unrestricted free agent.

October 3, 2009: First Goal as a Capital

On October 3, 2009, Brendan Morrison registered his first goal as a Capital in the team's home opener, a 6–4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

July 2010: Tryout with the Vancouver Canucks

In July 2010, Brendan Morrison became an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year and accepted a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks, attending the team's training camp in Penticton, British Columbia.

October 4, 2010: Signed with the Calgary Flames

On October 4, 2010, Brendan Morrison was signed by the Calgary Flames to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$725,000.

2010: Joined Calgary Flames

In 2010, Brendan Morrison joined the Calgary Flames.

2010: Playoffs with Capitals

In the 2010 playoffs, Brendan Morrison registered one assist in five games as the top-seeded Capitals were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round.

March 2011: Season-Ending Injury

In March 2011, Brendan Morrison suffered a season-ending injury in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, hurting his left knee when Niklas Hjalmarsson pinned him against the end-boards.