After playing for the NTDP, Morin joined the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he scored 83 points in 58 regular season games in 2009–10. He was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)'s Player of the Week for the fifth week of the 2010 playoffs after registering six goals and one assist in four games, highlighted by two hat-tricks.[3]
Prior to the 2010–11 season, Morin had a strong training camp[6] and made an impression on Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville,[7] while tying for second on the team in pre-season scoring with four points.[8] However, the Blackhawks assigned Morin to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, to begin the year.[9] After playing eight games with Rockford, leading the team in power play goals with three, Morin was recalled from the AHL on November 5, 2010.[10] He made his NHL debut the next day at Philips Arena against the team that originally drafted him, the Atlanta Thrashers. His first stint with the Blackhawks lasted two games, where he registered four shots on goal and two blocked shots; he reassigned to Rockford after three days with Chicago.[11] Following an injury to Marián Hossa, Morin was recalled as his replacement on November 30.[12] At the time of his second call-up, Morin was leading the IceHogs in goals, with six, and was tied for third on the team with nine points.[8] Later that day, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, Morin registered his first NHL point, a power play assist on a goal scored by Troy Brouwer and registered his first NHL fight in a bout with the Blues' forward Chris Porter.[13] He played in the Blackhawks next two games, but six days later was again assigned to Rockford. However, the move was believed to be an attempt at saving money against the team's salary cap.[14] As anticipated, the Blackhawks recalled Morin prior to their next game against the Dallas Stars while placing Hossa on injured reserve along with Patrick Kane.[15] During the game, on December 8, Morin scored his first NHL goal, beating Stars goaltender Andrew Raycroft 1:36 into the second period of a 5–3 Blackhawks victory.[16][17] However, the Blackhawks' cap concerns remained, and Morin was again reassigned to Rockford the following day.[18] He continued to bounce back and forth between Rockford and Chicago[19] but with the return of Hossa, Kane and Viktor Stålberg from their respective injuries, Morin was not needed in the Blackhawks line-up[20] and was subsequently loaned to Team USA for the 2011 World Junior Championships.[21] Following the tournament, Morin returned to Rockford but in a game against the Chicago Wolves on January 15, 2011, Morin suffered what was believed to be a concussion and missed the remainder of the season.[22][23] He finished his first professional season playing in 31 games scoring ten goals and 15 points between the NHL and AHL.[24]
Morin was unable to return to the ice until the start of training camp, but was still unable to participate in pre-season games due to post-concussion syndrome related symptoms. Assigned to Rockford, he missed the first two games of the 2011–12 season.[25] He played in 22 games for the IceHogs, registering 15 points, before he was recalled by the Blackhawks for the team's December 18 game with the Calgary Flames.[26] In the game, Morin spent some time on the Blackhawks' top line alongside Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, but went pointless in 10:23 of ice time.[25][27]
On June 27, 2014, the Blackhawks signed Morin to a two-year contract extension.[28] During the 2014–15 season, on December 14, Morin was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Tim Erixon.[29]
On July 1, 2016, as a free agent, Morin left the Sharks to sign a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.[33] He was assigned to Tampa's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, to begin the 2016–17 season. On February 25, 2017, Morin was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Stefan Fournier.[34]
Familiarly a free agent at seasons end, Morin signed his first contract abroad in agreeing to a one-year contract with HC Yugra of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In the 2017–18 season, Morin featured in just three scoreless games before mutually opting to terminate his contract with Yugra on September 21, 2017.[35] He returned to North America and agreed to play in the ECHL, signing a one-year deal with the South Carolina Stingrays on October 13, 2017.[36]
On December 2, 2017, Morin signed a one-month contract with SC Bern of the Swiss National League as a replacement for injured Mika Pyörälä. Morin eventually appeared in one NL game with Bern, failing to score a point, before being released on January 3, 2018. Morin continued his whirlwind year by signing a one-year contract with the Swiss League's SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers on January 9, 2018.[37]
After helping the Lakers return to the top-flight National League, Morin left as a free agent to return to North America. He was later announced to have secured an AHL professional try-out contract with the AHL's Hershey Bears, making the opening night roster for the 2018–19 season.[38] He appeared in three scoreless games with the Bears before he was released from his professional try-out contract on October 30, 2018.[39]
Morin made his international debut in 2008 representing the United States at the IIHF World U18 Championships. In his first international tournament, he scored a team-leading six goals[2] in seven contests.[40] the United States defeated Sweden 6–3[41] in the Bronze medal game earning Morin his first international medal. Morin finished the tournament eighth overall in scoring with eight points.[42] The following year, he again represented the United States at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships. Team USA defeated Russia in the final, 5–0, winning the gold medal.[43] Morin lead the team in goal scoring, with seven and tied for second in points, with ten,[44] his ten points ranked him tenth in tournament scoring.[45] Morin also represented the United States at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he registered five assists and seven points in seven games.[46] In the tournament final, the U.S. defeated Canada 6–5 in overtime, winning gold.[5][47] After being loaned from the Blackhawks so he could participate in the 2011 World Junior Championships, Morin was named an alternate captain for Team USA.[48] During the team's first game, a 3–2 overtime win against Finland, Morin suffered what was thought to be a significant shoulder injury.[49] However, he returned to the American lineup after missing only one game.[50] In the tournament quarterfinals, the U.S. lost to Canada, 4–1. They rebounded in the bronze medal game defeating Sweden 4–2.[51] The victory marked the first time Team USA won medals in back-to-back tournaments, and the first medal they won on home soil.[52] During the tournament, Morin registered one assist through four games.[53]
Playing style
Morin was known as a goal-scorer in juniors. He has the ability to shoot from anywhere and find open space to shoot, often going to the front of the net and finding space to score.[54] He possesses a quick release that accompanies a solid shot.[55] Morin is considered a gritty player for a goal scorer; he plays hard and has a bit of an edge in his game. He plays a solid all-round game, possesses a high hockey IQ,[55] and competes every shift.[6]
Personal
Morin's cousin, J. D. Forrest, plays professionally in Finland, while his older brother Chad was also a member of the NTDP and went on to play for Harvard University in the ECAC. Morin also had an uncle who played college hockey.[56]
United States
