Arizona Coyotes Throwback: Derek Morris

Getting To Know The Players Of The Past

Looking Back At Derek Morris: How It All Began

Derek Morris’s time with the Arizona Coyotes was preceded when he was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft as the 13th overall selection. His rookie year with the Regina Pats of the WHL he accumulated 52 points in 67 games, prompting the Flames interest in drafting him. After being drafted the Flames returned him to Regina where he had an even more productive season with 18 goals and 75 points.

Playing in The NHL

In his premier year — ’97-’98 with the NHL Calgary Flames, he had 9 goals, 20 assists, playing in all 82 games. His strong, accurate shot from the point produced 5 PPG also. Over the next two seasons with Calgary he averaged 36 points a year, and was a strong power play performer.

Tragedy Strikes

During the ’01-’02 season Derek Morris was stricken with a tragic accident, where a slap shot off the stick of Espen Knutsen of the Columbus Blue Jackets defected off him into the stands; the puck struck 13-year old Brittanie Cecil in the temple. She died from the impact two days later. This incident caused the NHL to install the protective netting at the ends of the rinks at the start of the next season.

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Change Of Address

After completing five seasons with the Flames and maintaining good stats, Morris was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on March 9, 2004. The Flames also sent Jeff Shantz and Dean McAmmond for Chris Drury and Stephane Yelle. The Avalanche immediately saw benefits when Morris had his best season in the NHL with 11 goals and 37 assists in 75 games. He tallied 9 PPG, and was a +/- 16, while averaging close to 24 minutes a game.

After almost two seasons with Colorado, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes on March 9, 2004 with Keith Ballard for Ossi Vaananen, Chris Gratton and Phoenix’s second round choice (Paul Stastny) in the ’05 draft.

Derek Morris played four full seasons with the Coyotes, accumulating 93 points in the process. He was traded again by the Coyotes to the N.Y. Rangers for Dmitri Kaliinin, Nigel Dawes, and Petr Prucha on March 4, 2009. He finished the season with the Rangers, but signed as a free agent with Boston on July 25, 2009. While with the Bruins he played 58 games, with 3 goals and 22 assists.

Back To The Desert

By March of 2010, Derek Morris again was on the move back to the Phoenix Coyotes for a third round draft choice in the 2011 Entry Draft.

A Popular Player In Phoenix

Derek Morris — (Dee-Mo) was a fan favorite, (especially Cara in section 122.. you know who you are) who finished off his last four seasons with the Desert Dogs, and did not get his contract renewed after the ’13-’14 season. At age 36, the youthful defensemen in the Coyotes system were taking over the roster spot he once maintained. He is currently an UFA and has not been picked by an NHL team.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Throwback: Getting To Know Tyson Nash

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