Jets Defenseman Learns Who His Defence Partner Will Be At The 4 Nations Face-Off
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey skated alongside St. Louis Blues defender Colton Parayko at Team Canada's first practice ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey skated alongside St. Louis Blues defender Colton Parayko at Team Canada's first practice ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Morrissey will likely find playing with Paryko comfortable, and the two should complement each other's games. Back in Winnipeg, the Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo pairing thrives due to their abilities to move the puck but also because they each allow each other's games to flourish. DeMelo's defensive-first mindset allows Morrissey to jump into the play and become a threat offensively.
He should be able to do that with Parayko, who, like DeMelo, is known for his defensive capabilities.
In 55 games, the Blues' 31-year-old blue liner has scored 12 goals and 29 points, averaging 24:13 of ice time and recording little to no power play time. He's as experienced as they come on Team Canada's backend, winning a Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season and playing a large part in why the Blues were so good defensively that season.
Outside of Morrissey's even strength minutes, he'll be on Canada's second power play unit but in a bit of a different position. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will quarterback the second unit, placing Morrissey on the half wall. The other half wall position will be taken up by Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner, a pure playmaker looking to dish the puck. The bumper spot will be taken by Tampa Bay Lightning centre Brayden Point, and the net front will be Golden Knights' captain Mark Stone.
Morrissey has a cannon for a shot and should find ways to use it on a unit filled with some of the premier power play players in the NHL.
Morrissey's game has continued to develop over the years, and the early trust Team Canada's coaching staff has instilled in him is a testament to that.
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