Logan Morrison’s path to the Seattle Kraken has been difficult and unique but he isn’t letting that bring him down.
The 22-year-old was passed up in three straight NHL drafts despite productive seasons in the OHL prior to each draft year. His first crack at the draft saw him record 23 goals and 45 points in 59 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. His second attempt was unfortunately negated due to the OHL being shut down for the entire season due to COVID-19. His final attempt was the 2022 draft and in that season Morrison scored 34 goals and 100 points in 60 games.
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He had done everything in his power to show that he deserves a chance with an NHL franchise but no team would give him that shot.
In an interview and article written by Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com, Morrison spoke about how he never let it demoralize him.
“Obviously, it’s been a long journey getting here and there’s tons more to go,” Morrison said. “It’s a good feeling; being a part of a team and not a free agent is definitely a good feeling. It took a lot of hard work, but it’s been great.”
He was invited to prospect camps in the past and played in a previous version of this tournament as a free-agent invitee by the Los Angeles Kings. He played in the Traverse City prospect tournament as a free agent with the Dallas Stars but each time, he was cut and sent back to junior without a contract.
Even with the numbers Morrison was putting up in the OHL, the concerns surrounding him were about his foot speed. The Kraken deemed it fixable and signed him to a three-year entry-level contract on April 12, 2023.
In his first season with the Kraken organization, Morrison was able to play in four NHL games and 64 AHL games. In those AHL games, he scored 16 goals and 41 points. The Guelph, Ontario native improved physically and never let the inner confidence waiver.
Morrison served as an alternate captain in the Kraken’s first game at the 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff and will play alongside many talented players with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He’s gained the confidence of newly hired head coach Derek Laxdal and he could be in store for a breakout AHL campaign.
“He’s a cerebral player. What he lacks in [foot speed] he makes up for in brains. He’s one of those players as he matures and settles into the NHL/AHL, he finds a way to succeed. I have a soft spot for kids that work hard, that hang in there and battle. Those are the types of kids that seem to find a way all the time. Sometimes, those players get overlooked. When these players put the work in, they get rewarded for it. It’s good to see him get rewarded.”
Morrison has worked hard to be where he is but knows that getting there isn’t the end of his story.
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