Morin Eager To Return To Phantoms' Postseason Run
ALLENTOWN - Don't look now, but might Sam Morin be finally nearing a return? If this week's practice leading up to the beginning of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' opening round playoff series against the Providence Bruins is any indication, it could be a lot sooner rather than later.
"It's pretty exciting and I'm really happy to be with the boys practicing," Morin told Inside AHL Hockey after Wednesday's practice. "F--k, I miss the game so much. So yeah it's been a long time, but I'm appreciative so much that I'm on the ice right now."
After making the Philadelphia Flyers' season-opening roster, Morin sat as an extra until he was eventually reassigned to Lehigh Valley on October 11th. His time in the AHL this season has been less than desired, but not because of his performance on the ice.
A series of injuries had Morin in and out of the lineup in the winter months, but not before he was able to get into two NHL games with the Flyers in late-November. Oddly enough, entering his third year at the pro level Morin had missed just two of his first 152 regular season games and that was due to a two-game suspension.
The multiple ailments sustained by Morin in the second half of the season limited him to just 15 games with the Phantoms.
"It's been pretty crazy, but I think it's a learning experience for me," Morin said initially when asked about his injury-plagued season. "I think everyone in their career has a season like this - it can happen. I just need to learn from this."
One of a hockey player's worst fears is being unable to play the game for an extended period of time. Morin lived the experience unfortunately, with his latest injury absence dating all the way back to the 2018 AHL Outdoor Classic between the Phantoms and Hershey Bears back on January 20th.
"It's been hard on me mentally, but you know what I'm on the ice right now with the guys & I think I'm the same player I was. And I think that's pretty exciting," Morin said, adding, "I'm going to show those guys up there, the #Flyers staff, that I'm the same player & can have the same impact like at the beginning of the year."
Head coach Scott Gordon didn't shy away from voicing his encouragement on how both Morin and his teammate Phil Myers were progressing and recovering from their injuries. Both Morin and Myers were full participants in practice this week, and both got on the bus after Thursday morning's final skate before the trip to Providence.
"He wants to get back in the lineup in the worst way. Like you said, it's been a lost season for him," Gordon said of Morin. "To be able to finish and play in the playoffs to build something for next season is I'm sure what he's looking at."
When can we expect Morin to make his return to the lineup, and will it be this weekend for Games 1 and 2 of the Phantoms' Atlantic Division Semifinals (best-of-five) in Providence? Gordon was less than specific.
"Hopefully it works out that he's able to play. We're encouraged with what we've seen so far and it's going to take some time, but he could be a huge asset for us. There aren't many 6-foot-7 [defensemen] that can skate and make plays. He certainly would be a welcomed addition to our lineup."
