Derek Morris (hockey player)
Derek Morris (born
August 24,
1978 in
Edmonton,
Alberta,
Canada) is a
professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the
Phoenix Coyotes of the
NHL.
Morris was drafted 13th overall by the
Calgary Flames in the
1996 NHL Entry Draft. As of 2006, Morris has played in 501 career NHL games with Calgary,
Colorado, and Phoenix, scoring 51 goals and 192 assists for a total of 243 career points.
Derek was also slightly involved in a
2002 incident while playing against the
Columbus Blue Jackets in
Columbus, OH.
Espen Knutsen of the Blue Jackets unleashed a slap shot which deflected off of Morris, and then proceeded into the stands to strike 13-year old
Brittanie Cecil in the head. With the puck hitting Morris it could have potentially slowed down and might not have hit the girl as hard, however, hitting Morris didn't slow it down enough, and she died two days later. Many people also say that had Morris not been in the way in the first place, no one may have been hit.
