CHICAGO -- The last team Jeremy Morin expected to be traded to was the Chicago Blackhawks this offseason.
Morin had previously been with the Blackhawks’ organization for four-plus seasons. He had been hopeful to find a permanent spot in the Blackhawks’ NHL lineup last season, but he was often made a healthy scratch early in the season and became unhappy. Ultimately, he was shipped to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 14, 2014.
Morin received more of an opportunity with the Blue Jackets, but his season was altered when he was hospitalized with an elevated heart rate in late January. He didn’t return to the action again until late March.
As the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets worked out a trade on July 1, Morin became one of the seven players included in the deal. He, of course, was taken by surprise once he learned where he was heading.
“Obviously, you don’t expect it, especially a place you’ve been, you were just traded from,” Morin said at the Blackhawks convention Friday. “I think it’s good for me. I’m familiar with the guys in the room and the coaching staff and the organization. It’s a good thing.”
Morin, 24, is staying optimistic. While he didn’t impress Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville enough last time to get that full-time opportunity, Morin believes things can be different this time around.
“It’s really a different year right now,” Morin said. “I’m trying to put last year behind me. I’m really focused on this year. It’s obviously a big year for me. Wherever the chips fall, I’m excited to just play hockey again and be healthy and just go from there.
“When you start thinking you can’t play in the NHL, you start to go downhill. I’m definitely confident in my ability. I think I can definitely play in the NHL and I want to prove that this year again. I think there’s a bit ways to go to prove I can be an every-night NHL player. I think I’m motivated to do that this year and hopefully I’ll have good health going into this season and be excited for it.”
Morin had a health scare last season, but that’s behind him now. He feels healthy and has been training all out this offseason.
Morin was once considered one of the Blackhawks’ top offensive prospects. He scored 30 goals for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in the 2012-13 season and had 24 goals and 47 points in 47 games for the IceHogs during the 2013-14 season. He’s also had some success in the NHL and was often among the Blackhawks’ Corsi leaders when he was given a chance to play.
One person who still believes Morin can still make it in the NHL is IceHogs coach Ted Dent.
“You never know when someone is going to make the jump and get the opportunity,” Dent said Friday. “It’s so much to do with confidence and opportunity. But I believe in Jeremy Morin as a player. I’ve coached him for two-plus years in Rockford, and I really think he has what it takes to be an NHL every-day player.”
Morin realizes that won’t be easy to do with the Blackhawks. They may only have a few NHL spots up for grabs at training camp, and Morin will be among a long list of players who will be competing for them.
“I think any time you’re going into training camp you’re trying to earn a spot,” Morin said. “I think this year especially I’m going to have to earn a spot back here. That’s definitely not going to be easy with the guys they have. They obviously have numbers and depth. I know that. I’m aware of that. I think that it’s exciting and it’s an opportunity for me and it’s a challenge. I think I hopefully I can be up to the task.”