Legends Describe Ken Morrow, Honored by the Islanders Saturday
by Dominik on Dec 30, 2011 7:00 PM EST
in Islanders of Yesteryear
Email
Print
Saturday's game and Ken Morrow's induction into the New York Islanders Hall of Fame, is an afternoon game, so we'll get this one up a little early.
The people who played with and coached Morrow (and hopefully more of you who watched him with grown-up eyes) can say it best (videos below, but great stuff from his college coach Ron Mason here). As a silly kid, I just remember Morrow as a tall, bearded blueliner who kept things simple (or so it appeared) and enabled Denis Potvin, the top-scoring defenseman of all time, to do his thing.
What I didn't know as a clueless young tyke was just how much Morrow was respected, and just how much he played through injury (reportedly having knee surgery in mid-postseason at least once). From that New York Times piece in 1983:
While Morrow's teammates were in Boston late Wednesday, he was lying on a table at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, as another piece of cartilage was removed from his right knee. ''I was staring at the clock the whole time,'' he said. Less than 70 hours later, Morrow was on the ice at Nassau Coliseum, his presence helping the injured Islander defense in the sixth-game victory that ended the semifinal playoff series against the Bruins.
Later in the same piece:
Some swelling restricted his motion, so fluid was removed after the warmup. The last barrier, the mental one, was next. ''That's the big thing, your mind,'' Morrow said. ''Many times, that's what's stopping you. So I tried to go in the corners and get into the rough stuff.''
Morrow was not pleased with his game. He was on the ice for the first two Boston goals. ''Which is something I gauge my play on,'' he said.
Morrow was one of the early beneficiaries of arthroscopic knee surgery, and also another in the tradition of hockey players getting sewn up and going right back out there.
A key but quiet part of the USA 1980 Olympic gold medal winners, of all four Islanders Stanley Cup wins and of all 19 consecutive playoff series victories, the Islanders honor #6 Saturday. Here's what the man himself and some of his contemporaries said about him.
Note: Also catch this five-part interview at the Islanders TV site.
Ken Morrow on the Development of His Playing Style
"Believe it or not I was an offensive defenseman in college ... I became a defensive defenseman not by design."
Denis Potvin on Ken Morrow
"We divide the ice, and you take care of your side, I'll take care of mine. And of course when you get the puck you gotta give it to me, Kenny."
Mike Bossy on Ken Morrow
Hockey Scribe Stan Fischler on Ken Morrow
Cheers to #6 on a long overdue honor.
31 comments
|
Add comment
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Wow Fischler
Didn’t expect you to make that about you at all…
Also it’s depressing seeing all those Banners at Ottawa, and thinking that they should be in Nassau.
"Line brawl på Long Island!? Matt Moulson i huvudrollen!!!?! Wot!?" SwedishIslander
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
but we have more signifigant banners
love seeing those consecutive dates on the ones hanging from our rafters.
but yea, potvin is a good color commentator glad to see him announce in a big hockey market. too bad hes totally irrelevant to the senators organization
everybody "wong" chung tonight
by potvins_cups on Dec 30, 2011 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know. That Senators logo face is creepy
It’s like he’s staring down at the fans saying, “Yes, I look suspiciously like Daniel Alfredsson. What of it? I care not for your petty insults. I won the Northeast Division.”
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
by PGI on Dec 30, 2011 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Never got why they changed that logo
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
At the very least
Ken Morrow will be the answer to the trivia question of who was the first player to win the Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold in the same year.
Formerly a part time contributor and pittier of fools, now an Emeritus at Lighthouse Hockey.
Kenny Morrow memory
Was at the Garden for that eventful night that he scored the overtime goal. Was among a bunch of Ranger fans who tolerated a lone Islander fan for most of the game since the Rangers were in command up till the very end. When Kenny scored it was like the end of the world had come and I really feared for my life.
by Peter Puck on Dec 30, 2011 7:52 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Excellent
Thanks for sharing.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Kenny memory
At that time I was in rehersal for a Broadway rendition of “The Wiz” in the pit orchestra. I was playing away on my sax and had my Sony walkman radio on with an ear peice. During a break in rehesal I heard “Kenny Morrow, scores, Islanders win.” I stood up and pumped my fist in the air and yelled “yeah, baby.” Everyone looked at me like I was from another planet. I then told them Islanders just won on OT, Kenny Morrow scored the GWG. To my surprise a few of my fellow musicians also did the fist pump!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 31, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He was so good
Herb Brooks made a rule allowing preexisting beards (he hated them and didn’t allow them on any of his teams. At this time at least) just so he wouldn’t run Morrow off.
"We owe him a lot more than he owes us at this point. He's been stellar all year. He still gave us a chance to win this one, and we've got to find a way."
—C Josh Bailey, on G Al Montoya after a 5-3 loss Tuesday in Montreal.
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Dec 30, 2011 8:00 PM EST reply actions
He always made me think of Abe Lincoln.
Someone should give him one of those big tall hats.
Honest Kenny Morrow. Congrats.
Well, he is being sung now :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 30, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Here's a fun little story...
It was December of ‘81. I had my 6th Birthday party at the Burger King in the Walt Whitman Mall. During the party, my Dad went for a walk through the mall (probably to escape the kids) and he bumped into a tall, lanky kid with a beard. It was Kenny Morrow! My Dad told him that I was a big a fan and I was having my party there. Two minutes later, a was shaking hands with a giant (well to a six year old at least)! He made that day something to remember for me, and I’ll never forget that. Thanks Kenny!
I have pictures somewhere at my parents place. I’ll try and dig them up next time I go home.
by Isle in Topanga on Dec 30, 2011 10:20 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
How cool is that?
It takes a special kinda guy to go to some kids 6th bday party just to make him smile. What a great story :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 30, 2011 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
That is a great story
At the party, did Morrow let the kids run around in his beard?
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
I envy you, THAT is way cool!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 31, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
As usual...
Stan pretty much sums it up for me. Kenny Morrow was about strength and character and strength of character.
As a player I saw him as a guy doing the right things outside the TV screen. To appreciate Kenny you had to be at the game. (admittedly, I was only to a few in that era).
On the small screen you saw a guy who won most of the one on ones in his own end, angled guys flawlessly and made a really good first pass.
Live you saw a guy that rarely saw offensive zone time. I remember him playing very conservatively. During offensive possessions I remember thinking that he played too soft, but looking back, what he was doing was maybe giving up aggressive “pinches” for never being caught. The current team could really use a Kenny Morrow… any team could use a Kenny Morrow. That team was completed by Kenny Morrow… maybe even more so than by Butch.
When you think of the other defensive components the final counterweight was Kenny. They had guys like Langevin and Lane… both of whom could clear a crease and allow guys like Persson and Jonsson to move with the puck. Kenny did that as well, but he was able to do it, AND move the puck well.
Not only that, he’s been a helluva organizational guy… though I’m pretty sure the paperwork for Mike Mottau passed over his desk… same as Brian Rolston… and he’s been part of that USAgenda team that may need to revisit their thought process to push this team to the next level.
Let’s hope that way of thinking is vindicated by Donovan and Mayfield. There’s not too much on the team currently to cheer about from the US ranks from the pro level except for Montoya.
Okposo… drafted
Eaton, Mottau, Rolston, Pandolfo… wow.. not too many positive contributions there. They regressed from the duo of Guerin and Weight.
Maybe Reasoner and Wallace will give them a few positives on the agenda board. Wallace has really made an impression on me. Reasoner may be the benefactor of some mid-season shake-ups.
I've had enough! It's time to call out Garth Snow!
@JPinVA
Outside the box
As a player I saw him as a guy doing the right things outside the TV screen. To appreciate Kenny you had to be at the game.
Interesting, well said.
In the age of HD I yearn for an alternate feed that gives the overhead view for precisely this. Sometimes you can sense someone is doing the right thing outside the screen, but you never know unless you’re there … or the media powers let you see.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Kenny Morrow
As soon as the 1980 Olympics started, and Team USA played Sweeden I learnt that KM was islanders property. I then glued my eyes to his play during that Olympic tournament. KM was rarely out of position. Not much changed when he joined the team for their first cup run. Rarely out of position, great stay-at-home D-man. One of my all time favorite Islanders!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 31, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Eaton, Mottau, Rolston, Pandolfo… wow.. not too many positive contributions there. They regressed from the duo of Guerin and Weight. Maybe Reasoner and Wallace will give them a few positives on the agenda board.
Isles did alright for a while with vets like Witt and Sillinger and Park and Satan. I do admit that I wish they brought in guys who were as good as those guys were when the Isles brought them in. Those are the kinds of vets this team needs (their 2012 equivalents to when they came here- not them all now, of course.)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
near miss...
I was talking about them bringing in US players from around the league. They have a strong US influence in the front office and on on the coaching staff. Snow seems to WEIGHT his choices with a US bias. I’m not saying that is good or bad… hell, in Montreal they even want to dictate that your native language.
I’m just saying that when bringing in veterans they’ve mis-fired more often than not. I just don’t know if is truly a bias, or a matter of access.
…and Sillinger was awesome! Witt, Park and Satan would have been welcome to any roster I put together as well. I think access to guys like that seemed to have closed for some reason… or maybe they wanted to keep to a specific agenda or philosophy that has been taught by hockey USA. Of those four, none came up through the US system.
I've had enough! It's time to call out Garth Snow!
@JPinVA
PS...
Now that I think of it, all four of those guys were either Smith/Nolan signings or during the Comittee Period… Satan actually pre-dates both. He was around in 2005-06.
Even Okposo was a Smith draftee. So their TEAM USA influence and veteran choices are looking worse and worse.
Like I said, hopefully Donovan, Mayfield, Lee and Nelson will help change that.
I've had enough! It's time to call out Garth Snow!
@JPinVA
Weight and Guerin were fine IMO when they came here. Weight just seemed to have had less time than Sillinger had before he simply couldnt do it anymore. I put them both in the “good” category, honestly.
It just seems to me like in the mid 00s there were just more quality vets who werent “old” yet, were established NHLers, and just looking for new homes. The Isles didnt have to overpay for those guys, and they had some good seasons for this team.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 31, 2011 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
OT: Marcinko
Fanshot with some links about Marcinko, had surgery tonight after skate to the neck.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Few Goals, But Really Big Play-off Ones
OT game-winner in Game 3 best-of-five opening round against LA Kings at the Forum in 1980. Kings win, and I have always believed Isles lose Game 4 in LA and don’t win the Cup.
OT game-winner in Game 6 in the SC quarter-finals against the up and coming Oilers in Northlands to clinch series win. Oilers win and it would have gone back to a seventh game on LI.
Empty netter (by skating out of his own end) to seal the Cup in 1983.
And, of course, the OT game-winner in Game 5 opening round series against the Rangers.
Some good info on Kenny in the book “Boys of Winter” about the 1980 US Olympic team.
Definitely agree with you.
on point # 1. An interesting context into Morrow’s 3 OT goals: at the time, Maurice Richard was the career leader with 6. And Nystrom had 4.
Ralph Kiner: You've gotta change the script, I don't like the script.
Gary Cohen: What's wrong with the script?
Ralph Kiner: Well the script should be the Mets win every day.
Sure Hope Isles are Wearing White, and Oilers Their Retro-Blue and Orange Tomorrow
Only fitting that two legendary teams look it on Kenny Morrow day.
Who knows? Maybe a preview of the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.
Gary Bettman at center ice near the table: “John Tavares – Come get the Cup!”
Hey, I can dream, can’t I?
by rmblifn on Dec 31, 2011 1:46 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Who knows? Maybe a preview of the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.
OMG, I wish. :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 31, 2011 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
I second that! And third, fourth......it!
Unfourtunatly I am working today and will miss the game, SO I’ll be on here on the game live thread, so keep me posted.
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 31, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Steady, precise Kenny
Use the reach perfectly, and SEPARATE his man from the puck with the body. Also the only Islander d man to never wind up fully on his slapshot, and never ever get if off the ground. Permanent no lift rule with Kenny.
by 7:11_OT on Dec 31, 2011 12:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lighthouse Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- NHL Playoff Beard Watch: Blood, Sweat and Beards of unsung unshaven heroes
- Devils guarantee they’ll downplay 1994 conference finals for Game 6 vs. Rangers
- Dodger Stadium Winter Classic; 10 worst NHL fans; ‘While The Men Watch’ debate (Puck Headlines)
- Lightning GM Yzerman suggests he won’t be trading for Luongo, strengthens position for Luongo trade
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Ron Hextall, Luke Richardson and Rangers/Devils
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Despite loss, Phoenix Coyotes build solid foundation in the desert with run to West finals
- Coyotes finish off best season ever
- Maple Leafs sign defensive prospect Petter Granberg to entry level deal
- Talented Sea Dogs show they can defence as well as attack at Memorial Cup
- Connecticut players create video to tell gay players they are welcome on their team
SBNation.com Recent Stories
1979-80
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
