Canucks Rewind: The Brendan Morrison trade, and his time in Vancouver

Morrison began the year once again centring the first line with Naslund and Bertuzzi, and the trio picked up right where they left off. Their up-tempo, high-scoring and dominant style of play propelled the team to the top of the Northwest Division, and opponents began marking their calendars in preparation for when the West Coast Express would be coming to town.

Statistically speaking, Morrison made the smallest splash on the scoresheet compared to his linemates, but his offensive contributions were still extremely important to the club. His line accounted for 135 of the team’s 246 tallies that year, good for 45% of the club’s goal production, and that helped the Canucks secure a 104 point-record upon conclusion of the season.

He also recorded his first and only career hat trick that season against the Calgary Flames.

Most notably, however, Morrison was a key factor in the team’s 14-game winning streak that season, which still stands as one of the longest stretches without a loss in franchise history. During that span, Morrison put up six goals and nine assists, including three and four-point performances against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Atlanta Thrashers during games 13 and 14.

The West Coast Express combined for a mind-blowing 26 points over that 120-minute span.

Morrison recorded 25 goals, 46 assists and 71 points that campaign, which would all end up being career-highs for the Pitt Meadows native, and he finished third in team scoring and 26th in league-wide scoring.

More importantly, he once again helped carry the Canucks to their third-straight postseason appearance. The team went on one of their better runs in recent history during the 2003 playoffs, knocking off the St. Louis Blues in the first round before blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Minnesota Wild during round two.

Morrison concluded the postseason with 11 points in 14 games, second to Naslund’s 14 points.