Tears, dedication and hope: How Jets’ Josh Morrissey acquired to NHL All-Star Recreation

WINNIPEG – The Josh Morrissey story begins in a well-recognized place: an out of doors rink within the western a part of Calgary.

These numerous hours spent honing his craft culminated in his first NHL All-Star berth, as Morrissey is representing the Winnipeg Jets on the Central Division staff together with goalie Connor Hellebuyck this weekend in Dawn, Fla.

“I fell in love with the sport enjoying on the yard rink,” Morrissey recalled in a one-on-one dialog earlier this week. “We had an enormous area within the yard and, I don’t know, my first 12 months of ‘organized’ hockey, I used to be 5. ‘Organized,’ in quotations. That 12 months, we had an out of doors rink and my mother wasn’t working on the time. It’s type of humorous as a result of she by no means performed hockey, by no means skated, aside from what a traditional Canadian child does, I assume.

“After college and stuff like that, I might be on the market with my mother. She acquired all of the gear so she may come out, so we may go (the puck) round. When my dad got here residence, he would come out, and my mother would go in and heat up. It wasn’t her first ardour to be on the market, however these instances on the outside rink have been the very best. We acquired a hockey web for Christmas. Waking up and going on the market and seeing that on the ice, these have been kind of probably the most enjoyable, pleasurable recollections the place I simply acquired that actual love for the sport, and it simply type of grew from there.”

That development is plain, fostered by hours of capturing within the basement on his youthful brother, Jake.

“I don’t know the way he nonetheless beloved to play purpose,” the Jets defenceman mentioned. “We might go within the basement and play ball hockey and my mother would at all times inform tales that just about on cue, each 5 minutes, Jake would run up the steps crying as a result of his older brother shot it too exhausting. I might be (responding with) ‘I gained’t increase it once more,‘ and 5 minutes later, the identical factor would occur.

“As soon as the tears have been gone every time, he would put the scrambled gear that was laying all around the stairs again on and get again into the web. We had a variety of enjoyable with that. Nicely, I had a variety of enjoyable with that – and I believe he did too as a result of he stored coming again. These have been nice recollections.”

A dialog with Jake over the cellphone confirmed that, certainly, these have been enjoyable instances for him as nicely.

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“I bear in mind there have been a variety of tears on my finish,” Jake conceded. “As a youthful brother, I at all times seemed as much as him and at all times wished to be concerned in no matter he was doing. If that was hockey within the basement, that usually meant me strapping on the pads. As we acquired just a little older, we began to get on the ice and my dad can be out teaching with Josh, and I might typically be the goalie within the web. Plenty of the instances, as a defenceman, they’re engaged on one-timers or that sort of factor and I might be standing in there and sporting just a few off the face or no matter I wanted to do. I do know it most likely was appreciated by Josh, in order that was one thing I by no means thought twice about.

“Our father put collectively our personal little piece of ice. That was the place some core recollections, if you’ll, have been made after we had the entire household collectively. That was positively one thing all of us cherish, now particularly, given the circumstances.”

One other cherished household reminiscence occurred in 2015, when the Kelowna Rockets captured the Western Hockey League championship after Josh Morrissey and Leon Draisaitl have been acquired in a blockbuster take care of the Prince Albert Raiders. Josh joined Jake, who was a goalie for the Rockets.

“With the two-year age hole, we had by no means performed collectively as soon as. The very fact we acquired to play collectively there and win a championship collectively was simply improbable,” mentioned Josh. “There are some nice images of us within the video games we performed. He acquired injured and missed a bunch of time and that set him again, however we did play 4 or 5 or 6 video games collectively, and he backed up so much. We have been street roommates. All of that stuff was a blast.”

“I at all times snigger that my jersey simply mentioned Morrissey and his mentioned J. Morrissey as a result of I used to be there first. I used to be the primary Morrissey and he needed to take the backseat on that one,” added Jake. “In fact, not everybody will get the possibility to make it to the NHL. I don’t have any regrets that I didn’t, however an enormous a part of the rationale I don’t have any regrets is that I used to be lucky sufficient to have that have. If I look again at my profession now, I can at all times say that I gained a Western Hockey League championship with my brother.

“We had our mother and father within the stands and we had family and friends there watching. Wanting again, you’ve acquired cool images and recollections to share. It’s cool that the primary likelihood we ever formally acquired to play collectively culminated in that. I’d prefer to suppose I had considerably of a job, however definitely Josh was an even bigger a part of it. No matter that, it’s one thing that we each will maintain onto eternally. It was a ton of enjoyable and I gained’t neglect it for so long as I dwell.”

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These recollections have been particularly necessary when the Morrisseys misplaced their father, Tom, to most cancers in August 2021, someday shy of his seventieth birthday.

“My ardour for the sport definitely stems from the time on the outside rink. However on the time, for my dad and I, that was our factor. Mainly, our whole relationship that I bear in mind, that was the No. 1 bonding level and ingredient there,” mentioned Josh. “Again then, you couldn’t get the entire video games on TV. I really feel like I’m speaking in regards to the instances with black and white TVs. However with blacked-out video games and stuff like that, we’d go down into the basement – which was undeveloped – and play ball hockey and have the radio on, listening to the Flames sport.

“Peter Maher with the decision (on the radio), Jarome (Iginla) and all of these guys, I lived and died by each sport. My dad and I might be down there with my brother, enjoying ball hockey, enjoying desk hockey. We had a kind of for a pair years. I couldn’t get sufficient. We had just a few possibilities to go to video games yearly and that was me in all my glory. I couldn’t get sufficient and I nonetheless can’t get sufficient. These instances with my dad and my household the place you’re simply enjoying, that was the very best.”

That insatiable want to develop his personal sport has fuelled Morrissey all through his profession.

When the announcement was made that Morrissey had been chosen to take part within the NHL All-Star weekend, it was emotional for him – and he couldn’t assist however consider quite a few conversations when Tom expressed his perception that his son may someday be an All-Star.

“Like I mentioned within the media availability a few weeks in the past, coming from a few powerful seasons to type of a bounce-back 12 months final 12 months after which simply trying ahead to being on the up-and-up and simply making an attempt to maintain going, it’s most likely extra rewarding for that cause, given there are bumps within the street,” mentioned Josh, who was chosen thirteenth total by the Jets within the 2013 NHL Draft. “I’m in my seventh 12 months and it’s my first All-Star Recreation.”

The Morrissey contingent in Florida this weekend is a robust one, with round 10 individuals taking within the festivities, together with his spouse Margot, mom Bev Jarvis, brother Jake and a variety of shut pals.

The plan is just to soak in every thing that’s on the docket and to relish the time spent with family and friends.

Like every first-time All-Star, Morrissey is trying ahead to spending time reconnecting with previous teammates and making connections with friends and guys he’s been looking ahead to years.

“For one, Sid. He’s been a celebrity for a very long time and I bear in mind being just a little child (watching him). When he got here into the league at 18, I used to be 10 years previous. There was no person greater than Sidney Crosby,” mentioned Morrissey. “Clearly, it might be cool to brush shoulders with Erik Karlsson. He’s a man I actually beloved watching play and I nonetheless love watching him play. When he was actually getting getting in Ottawa and simply beginning taking on – in 2013, ’14 and ’15 – in these years, I watched a ton of him after I was in junior and tried to study so much from him. He’d be one other man.

“There are such a lot of guys, and I’m certain there can be some guys who shock you. Clearly, everybody there’s a superb participant, however while you’re up near them, you’ll recognize how good each man is, with their particular person distinctive skills. It’s nonetheless type of surreal for me. I’m type of nervous in some methods and excited, however on the finish of the day, it’s an enormous honour. I’m simply going to attempt to get pleasure from it.”

It’s additionally a well-deserved honour, as Morrissey has already delivered career-bests in assists and factors, and is nicely on his method to chasing down former defence companion Dustin Byfuglien for the franchise report for factors (56) recorded by a blueliner.

Morrissey, who has 11 targets and 53 factors, enters Recreation 53 after the break simply six factors behind that quantity, and he’s on tempo for a season that features 80-plus factors, with out sacrificing his play with out the puck within the defensive zone.

An necessary dialog befell this summer time between Morrissey and new Jets head coach Rick Bowness, one which gave Morrissey the inexperienced mild to get extra concerned within the assault and allowed him to unlock a few of the offensive potential he’s proven at each degree.

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“I hung up the cellphone and thought, ‘Wow.’ That’s a reasonably superior feeling. An empowering feeling,” mentioned Morrissey. “That this coach thinks this extremely of me. I at all times felt like I may play within the NHL, however till you do it, you don’t know. I at all times felt that I had extra ranges to my sport, however till you do it otherwise you’re inspired to do it, you don’t know if that’s going to occur. Nobody had actually ever inspired me earlier than to that degree. A few of it’s the path for my profession that I’ve had. That was the fitting time and I felt that possibly I used to be prepared to try this. A few of it’s timing, however to have him say that, I wished to go run via a wall. You’re so excited. That was in early July, and it actually motivated me all through the remainder of the summer time.

“Everybody’s profession is totally different. The place I’m at now, there are many issues that I’m engaged on and making an attempt to get higher, that I have to get higher at. As a result of I used to be a smaller man who was good offensively, the stereotype was that I wasn’t a great defender. Did I’ve so much to work on offensively and defensively to play within the NHL? Sure, however I had at all times taken satisfaction in that. Even now this 12 months, I wish to proceed to defend nicely.

“(Bowness) and I discuss that on a regular basis. To not surrender something at that finish to be extra offensive and to be an all-around participant. There are nonetheless plenty of issues on the defensive facet and offensive facet that I’m engaged on. However it’s been an thrilling time to take these subsequent steps and really to see it occur. You by no means comprehend it till you do it and also you see if it involves fruition. That encouragement from Bones pushed me out of my consolation zone. As an individual, I’m not essentially the man that jumps in with each ft. I type of determine it out first after which type of construct. So, to have that encouragement to leap in and do that as a result of you will have this potential, that was an enormous confidence increase and it inspired me to take that soar ahead.”

A lot of the dialogue this season about Morrissey revolves across the offensive explosion, however longtime pal and teammate Eric Comrie isn’t amongst these shocked to see it taking place.

“I’ve seen it my entire life, when he was 12, 13, 14, 15. Each single day, I noticed the flexibility and I noticed how a lot expertise he had,” mentioned Comrie, who now tends purpose for the Buffalo Sabres. “I assumed, ‘Wow, this man goes to be among the finest gamers within the league.’ I at all times knew he was going to be that good as a result of he at all times was that good. I believe he’s getting just a little extra leeway this 12 months, just a little extra freedom, and you actually see him profiting from that. He’s loving the brand new system right here, he’s loving the fellows he’s enjoying with and he’s enjoying nice. Speaking to him, he’s having a variety of enjoyable and he’s having fun with it.

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“He’s such a great skater, he sees the ice so nicely, he’s acquired a terrific shot. He’s actually acquired every thing. He’s among the finest skaters I’ve ever seen in hockey, so it’s fairly to look at him on the ice.”

That’s saying one thing, contemplating Comrie performed on the 2015 Canadian world junior staff with Morrissey and Connor McDavid.

No person is as explosive because the Edmonton Oilers captain, particularly when the puck is on his stick, however that Comrie holds Morrissey’s skating in such excessive regard ought to present a little bit of context.

Morrissey’s edgework and skill to each be a part of the frenzy and get going the opposite method after being concerned offensively is a factor of magnificence.

As for the offensive explosion this season, Comrie isn’t in the slightest degree shocked. Morrissey has produced at each degree and this outburst is paying homage to these days again within the WHL.

“He’s the identical actual individual. The identical humble and pleasant individual,” mentioned Comrie. “He labored exhausting and simply beloved the sport of hockey. You see him on the ice now. He’s such a great skater, so fluid and he’s acquired such a great shot. He’s a terrific chief as nicely, a improbable chief.

“His dedication to the sport is unbelievable, simply how a lot he loves the sport. He’s watching video, he’s breaking down movie. That’s the type of dedication degree it takes to be that good and to enhance that a lot. I’m so completely satisfied for him and I’m excited to see the place his sport goes to go much more.”

Watch 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend on Sportsnet

The brightest stars in the NHL hit the beach for the 2023 All-Star weekend in South Florida. Fans can watch the NHL All-Star Skills on Friday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and the NHL All-Star Game on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT.

Watch NHL All-Star Skills on SN NOW

Watch NHL All-Star Game on SN NOW

Complete broadcast schedule

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Morrissey got here out of junior as an offensive man who grew right into a shutdown man and has come full circle as one of many high all-around defencemen within the NHL, third within the league in factors amongst defenceman, and proper within the thick of the Norris Trophy dialog with the likes of Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, amongst others.

“He was at all times good at that. He was at all times a very good defensive defenceman,” mentioned Comrie. “His offensive facet was so good that everybody thought he was an offensive defenceman. That was by no means him. He was a two-way man who excelled offensively however was additionally nice defensively. That’s simply how good a participant he’s. He sees the sport so nicely, and when you’ll be able to skate like he can skate, you are able to do every thing on the ice. It’s spectacular.”

Throughout his time with the Sharks and Washington Capitals, Jets defenceman Brenden Dillon was paired with the likes of Karlsson, Brent Burns and John Carlson, so he has a reasonably good concept of what Norris Trophy-level play seems like. And he believes Morrissey belongs proper within the coronary heart of the dialog this season.

“He’s a well-rounded man. He’s a man who’s on the market within the final minute after we are attempting to attain a purpose and he could be on the market on the identical time after we are attempting to defend a lead,” mentioned Dillon. “For many nights, he’s enjoying towards one of many high two strains on the opposite staff and, on the identical time, he’s discovering a method to contribute offensively doing that.

“At the beginning, he takes a variety of satisfaction in his sport. He’s at all times making an attempt to work to get higher and that claims one thing while you’re in your seventh 12 months within the league and it’s his finest 12 months. Whether or not that’s follow or pregame skates, he’s at all times working at his sport. It says so much about his character and so much about him as a participant. Seeing a man like (Morrissey) have the type of 12 months he’s having, he’s positively up there with these guys, for certain.”

The final phrase goes to Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, who had Morrissey as a part of Staff Canada on the 2017 world championships in Cologne, Germany.

“I really like that child. He was a terrific man to have round. It was superior for us,” Cooper mentioned throughout a latest go to to Winnipeg. “He has taken on a variety of duty on this staff and type of develop into the massive chief on the again finish. There’s most likely a man that has gone unnoticed within the league. If he was ever obtainable, there can be 31 different groups chomping on the bit to get him.

“Sort of a whole participant who does all of it in several methods. I’m an enormous fan of Josh.”

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