Born in Pitt Meadows, B.C., Brendan Morrison was chosen 39th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. After he enjoyed a fine year with Penticton of the BCJHL, Morrison went on to an exemplary four years with the University of Michigan. The talented centre topped the CCHA in scoring three straight years and led the Wolverines to the NCAA title in 1996. He was the winner of the Hobey Baker Award in 1997 and was a three-time selection to the CCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West First All-American Team.
Morrison spent most of his first pro season in the AHL with the Albany River Rats but played a regular shift with New Jersey in 1998-99. He scored 46 points and played sound defence that season but the Devils were deep at forward. The emergence of rookie Scott Gomez in 1999-00 sealed Morrison's fate and he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks with Denis Pederson for Alexander Mogilny. The young pivot scored 54 points and was solid at both ends of the ice while helping the Canucks reach the playoffs.
An important two-way player with the Canucks, Morrison's speed and anticipation landed him significant time on both specialty units. Since his arrival in Vancouver, Morrison has been one of the team's more durable and consistent players, establishing career highs in goals (25), assists (46) and points (71) during the 2002-03 season.
After a 60-point 2003-04 season in Vancouver, Morrison competed overseas with Linkopings HC in Sweden during the NHL lockout. He returned in 2005-06 and played his fifth consecutive 82 game season, extending his ironman streak to 512 consecutive games. The following season Morrison's streak came to an end at 542 games when he suffered a wrist injury. After only competing in 39 games that season, Morrison and the Canucks failed to qualify for the NHL playoffs.
In the summer of 2008, the Anaheim Ducks signed the unrestricted free agent forward Morrison to a 1-year, $2.75 million contract, but his time on the west coast would be short-lived. He appeared in only 62 games for the Ducks before being waived by the club. He was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Dallas Stars, with whom he would finish the 2008-09 season.
Morrison would be on the move again in the summer of 2009, signing with the Washington Capitals as an unrestricted free agent.
