Capitals Sign Veteran Center Brendan Morrison

The Washington Capitals added yet another seasoned veteran to the fold, signing Brendan Morrison, who split last season between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks.

Here's more info courtesy of the Caps' PR team:

Capitals Sign Center Brendan Morrison

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have signed unrestricted free agent center Brendan Morrison to a one-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A 5’11”, 181-pound native of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Morrison has had 50-plus points six times, including four 20-goal seasons. He has played 755 career games with four teams – Dallas, Anaheim, Vancouver and New Jersey – spanning 12 NHL seasons. Morrison has 175 goals and 330 assists (505 points) in his NHL career, with career highs in goals (25), assists (46) and points (71) coming in 2002-03 with the Canucks.

Morrison, who will turn 34 on Aug. 15, split last season between Anaheim and Dallas, posting 16 goals and 31 points in 81 games. He had 32 penalty minutes and a +3 rating. Morrison played 542 consecutive NHL games from 2000-07, but was hampered by injuries the past two seasons.

Morrison’s best seasons came as a member of the Canucks, where he amassed 393 points in 543 games from 2000-08 and was among the team’s top five scorers for six years in a row. He has consistently been a plus player, with a career rating of +55, and has 47 power-play goals, seven shorthanded goals and 38 game-winning goals to his credit.

A second-round draft choice of New Jersey in 1993, 39th overall, he earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors as a member of the Devils’ affiliate, the Albany River Rats, when he led them in scoring in 1997-98.

Morrison won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college player in 1997 (the same award McPhee won as a player at Bowling Green) and led Michigan to the national championship in 1996. He led the nation in scoring three times for the Wolverines, collecting 102 goals and 182 assists (284 points) in 155 games. Morrison was a teammate of recent Capitals signee Mike Knuble for two years at Michigan and again with Linkopings in Sweden in 2004-05.

A Hockey Legend Hangs Up His Skates

Future Hall of Famer Joe Sakic officially hung up his skates for retirement today after an amazing 20 seasons with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche organization. His incredible career includes two Stanley Cups and 13 All-Star appearances and his smoking wrist shot helped earn him the eighth spot in points among the top NHL leaders. And throw in an Olympic Gold medal with Team Canada to the mix! Sakic's season was cut short last year due to back surgery and a freak run in with a snowblower, which injured three of his fingers. Sakic, Colorado's captain for 16 consecutive seasons, is well-respected among his peers for his quiet leadership and sportsmanship on the ice.

Best of luck to a class-act and one of hockey's greatest! The Avalanche will retire Sakic's #19 jersey along side fellow legends Patrick Roy and Ray Bourque at the team's season opener.

Save the Date for the First Ever Caps Convention!

Following in the footsteps of the wildly successful Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks Conventions, the ever-innovative Washington Capitals are staging their own convention for the most important folks in the organization - their red-rocking, fabulous and fiercely loyal fans!

Mark your calendars for September 26 and make plans to join the Caps and your fellow fans for what sounds like a phenomenal event!

HM will keep you posted on details as they come in, but for now ere's the official release from the team (I for one - can't wait):

First Capitals Convention at Gaylord Convention Center Sept. 26
Current and former players highlight this daylong interactive experience

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will hold their first Capitals Convention on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Gaylord Convention Center at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. The all-day event will feature the entire 2009-10 Capitals team as well as Capitals alumni, who along with radio and TV personalities, coaches, and team executives will participate in a variety of breakout sessions and panel discussions that will give fans a first-time look at behind-the-scenes operations as well as an insight into the lives of NHL players. There also will be interactive activities for adults and children, a display containing many of the NHL’s most prominent trophies, a locker-room store featuring game-used authentic memorabilia and the team’s annual equipment sale.

“This is a unique opportunity for our organization to engage our fans on a variety of levels,” said Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis. “It’s an opportunity for our players, coaches, alumni and front office to provide insights as well as the intricacies of our organization and our great sport.”

This will be the first chance for fans to meet the 2009-10 Capitals players as a group. The Sept. 26 festivities begin at 9 a.m. for season-ticket holders and 10 a.m. for the general public and will conclude at 8 p.m. Tickets, priced at $40 for adults and $25 for children 14 and younger, go on sale July 9 to season-ticket holders and July 14 to the general public. There are a limited number of “Golden Tickets” available for $350, which guarantees all player autographs with access to a special fast-pass autograph line and priority seating for panel discussions. Tickets will be available at WashingtonCaps.com.

Panel discussions will feature Leonsis, general manager George McPhee and head coach Bruce Boudreau and will focus on the behind-the-scenes, day-to-day responsibilities of operating a professional hockey club. Additionally, current and former Capitals players will participate in discussions that provide a glimpse of a professional athlete’s life and what they experience during the season.

There will be more than a dozen panel discussions at the convention, and in the near future fans also will be given an opportunity to vote at WashingtonCaps.com on other panels that they would like to see. Current panel discussions, which are subject to change, include:

Ask the Coaches – Sit down with members of the coaching staff and pick their brains. See what differentiates their roles and responsibilities and how that impacts the team.

Covering the Caps – Ever wondered what it was like to be a reporter covering the Capitals? This session will let fans see what it is like to be a member of the media. Learn what transpires before, during and after games.

Managing the Salary Cap – Negotiating player contracts and managing the nuances of the NHL’s salary cap have profound impacts on every team. Get a look into how assistant general manager Don Fishman deals with these issues.

Caps on the Rise – The Washington Capitals swiftly have ascended to one of the elite teams in the NHL and the architect is general manager George McPhee. Hear the firsthand account from the GM on how the plan came together and what is on the horizon.

Kids-Only Press Conference – Players have to deal with media every day during the season, but this time the Caps are shaking things up and turning the mics over to the kids. In this press-conference atmosphere, kids have free reign to ask Caps players today’s burning questions.

Work in Sports – Panelists from the area’s sports teams will discuss their career paths and advice for those looking to break into the sports business.

The day will include player autographs and photos with fans. Breakout sessions will be conducted throughout the day and will demonstrate a variety of hockey skills. The site will feature four interactive rinks, an interactive shooting game, two junior interactive rinks, a convention photo booth where fans can take pictures in a Caps-specific cutout and a penalty box game zone where fans can enjoy bubble hockey, air hockey and hockey video games. Highlights and feature videos will be shown on screens throughout the convention. A silent auction featuring jerseys, pucks and sticks also will be conducted. This will be fans’ first opportunity to purchase 2009-10 merchandise and special Capitals Convention merchandise. Comcast SportsNet is an official media partner of the Capitals Convention.

The convention will also include five hockey-related displays for fans to enjoy: a history of the Capitals timeline, a salute to the Original Six clubs, an NHL dressing room, prominent NHL trophies and a timeline of the evolution of hockey equipment.

The Chicago Cubs and later the Blackhawks introduced the convention concept to professional sports and they were met with overwhelming success as fans enjoyed a new and exciting way to interact with the players and organizations. Now the Capitals will provide their unique twist and give fans a full day to immerse themselves in a variety of topics and interactive exhibits.

Ovie Welcomes You to Russia for 2014 Games

The Capitals own Alexander Ovechkin will be rolling out the welcome mat as an official ambassador for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi (in Ovie's home country of Russia, of course). "As an ice hockey player, it is truly an honor to become an Ambassador of the Winter Games being held in my home country," Ovechkin said in a news release. "As an athlete, I'll try to do everything possible for bring the Olympic gold for the Russian team. And as a Sochi 2014 Ambassador, to help ensure that the Winter Games will be held at the highest level possible."

In the meantime, HM has returned from Chicago, a fabulous city where I saw Marian Hossa's mug all over the local media. I paid a local visit the the Blackhawk's store in search of Original Six t-shirts for the boys, but to no avail. A good time was had by all, none the less and I can attest that I probably put on five lbs. courtesy of all that deep-dish pizza and Chi-towns' heavenly cupcakes.

Meanwhile the Capitals are getting ready for Development Camp
featuring recent Capitals draft picks, select rookie players and other prospects who will be put through the paces by Coach Boudreau and staff.

Can We Love A Former Flyer? Yes, We Can!

Can Caps fans love a former Flyer? HM says "yes we can" - especially one who'll park his tush in front of the crease for a 47 point season. TSN is reporting that the organization has signed right winger Mike Knuble from Philly for a 2-year contract at $2.8 million per season! Nice move GMGM - just what the doctor ordered. Now, on to that Michael Nylander issue...

On a sad note, we officially say good-bye to one of the nicest players I've had the chance to interview, Donald Brashear. Brash is headed to NYC to replace Rangers enforcer Colton Orr (who was traded to Toronto Maple Leafs). Now that'll be weird seeing big Donald in a Rangers sweater dropping the gloves with say, John Erskine?

If you haven't already heard, the blockbuster deal of the day has Marian Hossa (on his third team in as many seasons) headed to the Chicago Blackhawks with a 12-year, $62.8 million contract...

Wonder Twins Stay with Canucks

The tremendously talented dancing Swedish twins, known as Henrik and Daniel Sedin, just got a whole lot richer. Vancouver fans are probably cheering to find out that the dynamic duo just signed a 5-year deal worth about $6.1 million a season - nice!

Now, Hockey Mom's own twins won't have to toss their Henrik and Daniel Sedin Canucks jerseys (trust me, those are the only other jerseys other than Capitals red they are allowed to wear around Mom, despite the frequent gifts from the Penguins-loving side of the family)!

BTW, HM is going on a brief but much deserved vacation this weekend so please check out all the fabulous writers in my blogroll for the latest in any Capitals signings...in the meantime, will keep you posted on any action that takes place through today!

Men on the Move

So today marks Christmas in July for some NHL teams as it is the official start of the free agency period. The Montreal Canadiens have already made a significant move, signing Scott Gomez from the New York Rangers (where in the eyes of many, he was overpaid and underproducing) in a package exchange that includes former Hab Christopher Higgins heading for the Big Apple.

Hockey Mom will be paying special attention to the movement (or non-movement) of her favorite Sedin twins, who are asking for some big coin (and a non-separation deal, too cute) from the Vancouver Canucks. Another interesting rumor is that the Chicago Blackhawks are trying to lose goalie Christobal Huet, which should bring a chuckle to the Caps' faithful.

As for the Capitals, General Manager George McPhee is holding his cards close to his chest when it comes to whether or not the team will make a big move. OFB has a beautiful breakdown of what might be going on inside GMGM's head today amidst the speculation frenzy. Hey, money's tight for everyone these days and due to the young talent that currently makes up the Capital's roster, the team isn't going on a Neiman Marcus player shopping spree anytime soon. But wouldn't it be nice to see Mike Komisarek's lovely smile (and bone-crushing hits) on the bench next season?

Stay tuned...you never know what the master of secrecy, GMGM, has up his sleeve!