Morrison has been fueled by doubters in the battle for a roster spot with the Kraken

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Logan Morrison keeps proving his detractors wrong and making his supporters look smart.

The 22-year-old forward starred and co-captained the Seattle Kraken in a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in the 2024 Rookie Faceoff at the Toyota Sports Performance Center on Saturday.

Morrison had the game-winning goal and dominated most of his moments, not bad for a three-time NHL Draft pick.

It’s another cautionary tale in a growing file to warn hockey people about the dangers of betting on Morrison.

Maybe, they will finally listen.

“I hope so,” he said.

The four-day tournament features seven teams and featured top prospects such as Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

But the genealogy of others never bothered Morison.

He has been betting on himself. Those who refuse to question him have reaped benefits. Count Kraken general manager Ron Francis among those enjoying the payouts.

“Obviously, it’s been a long journey to get here and there’s still tons to go,” Morrison said.

Over the past three seasons, he has scored 100 points (34 goals, 66 assists) in 60 regular season games with Hamilton of the Ontario Hockey League. However, he was not one of the 225 players selected in the 2022 NHL Draft, his second kick at that can.

The following season, Hamilton traded Morrison to Ottawa in a blockbuster OHL trade that netted Hamilton six players. Morrison scored 20 goals — and 39 points — in 22 regular season games for Ottawa. He added 10 goals in 11 postseason games.

This time, 224 players were selected anonymously.

He has been invited to look at camps in the past. He played in the previous version of the tournament as a free agent invited by the Los Angeles Kings. He played in the Traverse City Championship as a free agent with the Dallas Stars.

Each time he was cut and sent back to Junior without a contract.

Morrison did not give up. He used it as fuel.

“It’s a good feeling; “Being part of a team and not a free agent is a really good feeling,” said Morrison. “It took a lot of hard work, but it was good.”

Kraken felt concerned about the player’s foot speed. But they saw it as unfixable, especially with Morrison’s can’t-do attitude.

They signed him to a three-year contract starting on April 12, 2023.

Morrison restored the Kraken’s faith with a strong season in the Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League, scoring 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists) in 64 games. He had 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 18 postseason games as Coachella Valley lost to Hershey in the Calder Cup final for the second straight season.

“He’s a mental player,” said new Coachella Valley coach Derek Laxdal, who coached Saturday’s game. “He lacked it [foot speed] he helps the mind. He’s one of those players as he gets older and settles into the NHL/AHL, he finds a way to be successful.”

To improve her foot speed, she spent 30 minutes before practice last season working with Coachella Valley assistant coach Jessica Campbell, who focused on power skating techniques.

His strong offense was matched by a growing defense that earned the trust of then-head coach Dan Bylsma, who is now the Kraken’s coach, replacing Dave Hakstol.

Campbell is on Seattle’s staff again, the first female coach in the NHL.

Morrison played four games for the Kraken last season, realizing his dream.

Now, you want to make it a full-time situation.

During the offseason, Morrison worked on putting on what he calls “good weight,” so he can better compete at the NHL level.

“I came to camp with a lot of energy and I’m trying to put my best foot forward and we’ll see what happens,” Morrison said.

Laxdal would love to have Morrison in his starting lineup in the Coachella Valley, but he isn’t sure if Morrison will be sent to the AHL once training camp is over.

He’s educated and he’s not betting on Morrison.

“I have kids who work hard, hang in there and fight. These are the types of kids who always seem to find a way,” said Laxdal. “Sometimes, those players are ignored. If these players put in the work, they get rewarded for it. It’s good to see him being rewarded.”

Can Morrison turn his hard work and familiarity with the new coaches in Seattle into a full-time gig this season?

“I hope so,” said Morrison, looking serious. “I will do everything I can.”

At this point, it’s a safe bet that he’ll put his best foot forward.

It started on Saturday.