Scott Morrow grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, as a Philadelphia Flyers fan because his father, Steve Morrow, was taken by them in the 10th round (No. 209 overall) in the 1987 NHL Draft (he only got as far as the AHL). As Scott prepares for his debut with the New York Rangers in two weekend games against the Flyers' rookies in Allentown, Pennsylvania, rest assured there won't be any black and orange in sight at the Morrow home.
"No more Flyers shirts around the house," he joked after the second day of rookie camp on Thursday at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York.
Morrow was the biggest part of the return the Rangers received in the trade that sent defenseman K'Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1. The 22-year-old is pumped at the chance to play for the Blueshirts after turning pro last season and putting up had 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games for Chicago of the American Hockey League before being called up by the Hurricanes. He had six points (one goal, five assists) in 14 regular-season games for Carolina before going scoreless in five playoff games.
"I would say I was surprised," he said when asked about the trade. "I'd obviously not heard anything about it. The first emotion is, like, when you hear New York Ranger, it's a very special organization. I'm from around here, and it would really mean a lot to me to have success here.
"It was definitely a little bit of disappointment leaving Carolina because it's a great organization, but I'm super pumped to be here."
One of his 14 regular-season games came in Carolina's 7-3 win against the Rangers in Raleigh on April 12. He played 16:58 but was held without a point, largely because of his now-teammate Igor Shesterkin .
"I had one chance, I wish I scored. That's the one thing I remember from that game," he said. "I think it was Igor that made a great save on me. But, you know, there's obviously some good players with the Rangers, and just seeing them in person for the first time. Now, when I think back on it, it makes me really excited to potentially be teammates with them one day."
He hopes to show general manager Chris Drury and new coach Mike Sullivan that they made the right decision by acquiring him. Ironically, he'll be facing the team that he scored his first NHL goal against on March 15.
"They traded away a really good player, and I was part of the return," Morrow said of Miller. "K'Andre was a big part of the team here. If they value me enough to want me back in a package like that for a player that good, it shows that they think somewhat more highly of me. I just want to prove them right. It would be pretty cool to have people look back and say that it was a good move."
Morrow probably could have skipped rookie camp after playing in the NHL last season. But he said he sees the extra ice time as an opportunity to show his new team what he can do – and figures to get plenty of chances to show what he can do during the two games against the Flyers.
"I think it's great for me because it gives me four extra practices and two extra games to get my feet wet before training camp," Morrow said. "I view it as nothing but a positive. I think it's extra time for me to sharpen myself before main camp and to show what I can do in a couple of extra opportunities."
There are opportunities available on the Rangers blue line. 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and free agent signee Vladislav Gavrikov are the likely top pair — but Will Borgen is likely the only other defenseman assured of a spot. Morrow is confident he can be an effective two-way defenseman at the NHL level.
"I have size and I think I can be a good two-way player," he said. "I can definitely move pucks quick on breakouts and contribute to the offense. I think the one thing I need to do more and I'm trying to implement this year is to be physical because I'm a big guy (6-2, 210 pounds). Becoming more trustworthy on the defensive end is something I'm working to do, too. I think I can contribute on all 200 feet."
He's determined to use the rookie games to make an impression.
"Honestly, I'm not focused on the outcome of camp as much as just the process of being in my second year pro now, trying to show how much I've grown, trying to show a brand new organization what kind of player I am. Obviously, they traded for me, so they obviously see something in me. I just want to make the best first impression that I can."
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