Connection with Rich Peverley brings Logan Morrison to development camp

Rich Peverley has a theory that players who score big at the Major Junior level have a pretty good history of success.
Now, he cautions that every individual is different, and points aren't the be-all and end-all for prospects, but they do give you a pretty good glimpse into what a player might be able to accomplish.

So, it makes sense that Peverley was very interested in bringing Logan Morrison to Stars development camp and hopefully to the Traverse City Prospect Tournament in September. The 20-year-old center is coming off a season in which he had 100 points (34 goals, 66 assists) in 60 games and helped Hamilton to the Memorial Cup with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 19 playoff games.
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The fact that he didn't get drafted after that performance opened the door for Peverley, who works out at the same gym as Morrison in Guelph, Ontario, and also serves as the Stars' director of player personnel.
"He's got high-end hockey IQ and high-end skill," Peverley said. "To me, we're lucky to get him here because I thought he was going to get drafted. I think he's proven he's one of the best players in the OHL, so is it time for him to graduate? It might be."
Morrison was passed over in the 2021 NHL Draft because the OHL was shut down and he hadn't really had the chance to prove himself. However, after his breakout season, he really thought he might get selected in Montreal.
He wasn't.
"It was frustrating for sure, I'm not going to say it wasn't," he said. "I thought I was going to be selected. I felt like I earned it. At the same time, I've got to keep grinding and leave a good impression with Dallas."

Peverley said he was surprised.
"The knock in the past was his skating, but in terms of hockey sense and hockey IQ, he's up there with our prospects," Peverley said.
Morrison said it was easy to accept the invitation from Peverley, who's been a fixture at OHL games.
"We're both from Guelph, so he's been to our games, and I've talked to him a lot," Morrison said. "I see him quite a bit."
The plan right now is for Morrison to finish up at development camp and then join the Stars prospects for the Traverse City tournament. If that works out well, he could get an invite to training camp and that could open the door to a possible spot in the AHL. Peverley said he didn't want to get ahead of the process, but he also didn't want to hide his optimism for a player like Morrison.
"I think he earned himself a chance to play in the American league," Peverley said. "He has to go through the steps."
Morrison could still go back to Hamilton and play as an "overaged" player, but he also is hoping for a chance at the AHL. If he eventually signs with the Stars, that would give them Jason Robertson (117 points in 62 games in his final OHL season), Johnston (124 points in 68 games last season), Logan Stankoven (104 points in 59 games last season), and Mavrik Bourque (68 points in 31 games last season).
The fact that Robertson has already turned his junior success into NHL points is testament to the fact the Stars seem to know how to help players take the next step.
"I think everyone is different," said Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham, who coached Robertson in the AHL and will help this group, as well. "I think with Robo, he earned it. He came in, he was learning pro habits, he was away from billets for the first time, he was maturing into a young man and he started playing the game the right way. To see him not only grab that opportunity with Dallas but take it and run, it's rewarding for everyone involved. He's a guy we're very proud of."
He leads a long list of players who might be following the same path.
"It's awesome," Morrison said. "Dallas has a ton of great prospects, so it's nice to see them up close. Just to be around the guys is pretty cool."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.