Blackhawks Future Friday: Jeremy Morin

Apr 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jeremy Morin(11) checks St. Louis Blues center

(17) during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

• Jeremy Morin

2012-13 AHL Stats

Games: 67

Goals: 30

Assists: 28

Points: 58

PIM: 86

2013 NHL Stats

Games: 3

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

Points: 2

PIM: 0

Acquired: FROM ATL WITH M. REASONER, J. CRABB AND TWO PICKS IN THE 2010 ENTRY DRAFT FOR D. BYFUGLIEN, B. EAGER AND B. SOPEL ON 6/23/10

Drafted: 2nd round, 45th overall, ATL, 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Prospect Report: 

Jeremy Morin was a go-to player on the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate) in 2012-13, praised for being a very reliable, and versatile player. Morin showed a scoring touch with 30 goals on the year, many of which came from a strong net drive and strength near the crease. Morin has shown that he can be very effective in all ends of the ice, whether it be good positioning defensively, a big hit in the neutral zone, or creating offense at the other end of the ice. What he lacks in size, (6’1″, 192 lb) he makes up for in grit and hard work, and he is excellent at out-muscling opponents because of good fundamentals.  He is very physical, and can utilize his shot well, not only scoring off the rush, but generating rebounds throughout.  He is responsible defensively, first using his speed on the back-check, and then taking advantage of a good reach to take away passing lanes, and tip opponent’s shots and passes. He has shown pro scouts that he is one of the most NHL-ready players currently playing in the Blackhawks system.

Road To The NHL: 

Morin was born in Auburn, New York, in 1991. He played his minor hockey in the state of New York. In 2006-07, he played one season with the Syracuse Stars of the EJHL, (Eastern Junior Hockey League) where he was named rookie of the year. He then went on to spend two years in the U.S. National Team Development Program. He averaged over a point-per-game in each season, and also played in the 2008 and 2009 IIHF U-18 World Championship tournaments, where he led the team in scoring both years. In 2009 he registered 10 points in seven games, as his team USA won the tournament. He also played in the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship, contributing 7 points in as many games. He played one year with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, in 2009-2010.

Promotion Probability: 6/10

Morin played in three regular-season games with the Blackhawks in 2013, first in a two-game stint midway through the year, and finishing off the Blackhawks’ regular season with the rest of the “Black Aces” against St. Louis. In his first NHL game of 2013, a 7-1 win in Detroit, he scored the opener for the Blackhawks, playing in place of the injured Marian Hossa. Morin filled in nicely, showing that his play is at the NHL level.

Another welcome sight for the Blackhawks was Morin’s three short-handed goals for the IceHogs this season, (team high) showing that he could be the one to fill in for the departed Michael Frolik on the Blackhawks’ stellar penalty-kill. This could be a big plus for the 22-year old heading in to training camp.

Morin is NHL-ready, but the Blackhawks may not need him for the entire 2014 season. Morin’s chances on cracking the lineup rest on Marcus Kruger‘s contract negotiations, as he is yet to sign another deal. Morin will be the first in line if an injury occurs, and with the Blackhawks’ keeping tabs on some of their aging players, and perhaps limiting their games, we could see Morin play 20+ games next year if he is a part-time player.

Morin is biding his time in Rockford, but when the chance comes, he will become a fixture in the Blackhawks’ lineup. He has fine-tuned his talented game over his three professional seasons, and he is ready to make the jump. The question of ‘when’ no longer matters on Morin’s game, but it has shifted to when the Blackhawks are going to need him.

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