As the Calgary Flames sit on the bubble between playoff contender and lottery team, one sign of promise in their future is a deep defensive prospect pool that promises to bring some extra offensive spark from their blue line.
Among those is Moncton Wildcats alternate captain Étienne Morin, who continues to put up steady numbers and show strong defensive presence in the QMJHL. The 19-year-old landed 10th in the FlamesNation prospect rankings last summer, with some fans arguing the 2023 second round pick should have been ranked higher.
Less than a month away from his 20th birthday, let’s take a look at how Morin is progressing.
Last season
Following an incredible draft year with the Wildcats where he was an over a point-per-game player, Morin faced a slight regression last year. His first season as an assistant captain, the Quebec native put up 49 points in 58 games. But according to McKeen’s Hockey’s Jeremy Tremblay, there wasn’t much to worry about in this slightly slower season:
Morin has been the quarterback of the Moncton Wildcats defence for two seasons, playing a lot of minutes there. Although his offensive production slowed slightly from his draft year, Morin’s defensive play and decision-making took a step forward this year. The defender remains a smart passer who plays calmly under pressure and likes to join the offensive rush as often as possible.
His dependable play was good enough to land him a game in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers last April against the Abbotsford Canucks. He had one shot on goal and a neutral plus/minus in the team’s 3-1 loss.
Morin was passed on for Canada’s World Junior roster in the 2024 edition, but was named to Hockey Canada’s Roster for the World Junior Summer Showcase later last year alongside fellow Flames prospect Zayne Parekh. He had one assist in the four-game tournament.
This season
Last September, Morin played in the Young Stars Classic with some of Calgary’s top prospects. Ahead of the tournament, he talked about the work he’s done to put on some weight to get stronger and faster on the ice over the summer. He added that signing his entry-level contract with the Flames last July has provided him a boost to push even harder:
[I’m] more motivated for sure, it’s a huge feeling, something you’ve been dreaming (of) as a kid. It just motivates me to work harder, knowing that I’m part of the Flames organization now.
Calgary Wranglers head coach Trent Cull ran the team for that competition, and noted Morin and some teammates’ leadership qualities as returning members of the team:
…you can see they’re talking, they’re helping guys out, they know where they’re going to the rink, to the pre-game meal. It’s just little things like that on and off the ice, and I know that those guys will be great on the ice for the group.
Along with Parekh, he was considered a snub from Canada’s World Juniors team last December, with neither being invited to the pre-tournament camp. The Canadian team faced further scrutiny for their roster decisions after a second consecutive quarterfinal exit at the tournament.
Nevertheless, Morin has continued his leadership role with the Wildcats, wearing an ‘A’ on his jersey while steadily racking up points. He has hardly had a breakthrough season, but has continued to be a dependable presence on the ice defensively, adding an offensive upside.
Through 47 games played, he has 10 goals and 33 assists for 43 points, leading the team’s blue line in all three categories. He currently sits at +23, showcasing a major improvement in his defensive game compared to last year where he finished the season at -9. While this stat is skewed by the overall improved goal differential by the team this season, it can’t be ignored that as a leader for the group’s blue line, he plays a major part in that improvement.
Quarterback of the team’s defence and top power play unit, Morin leads the team in man advantage assists with 12. His playmaking and quick defensive game has played a key role in keeping their special teams in the top half of the league, with a 23% power play efficiency and best-in-the-league penalty kill that holds a 86.2% success rate.
Currently, the Wildcats sit first in the league with a 38-9-2 record for 78 points in 49 games played. The New Brunswick group is chasing its first QMJHL championship since 2010, and its third Memorial Cup appearance.
Overall, Morin’s offensive prowess and defensive upsides make him a dependable two-way player that the Flames development team will continue to keep an eye on. If he keeps up this play–and maybe carries some championship success with him–it’s possible we see him in a Flames jersey at training camp next September.
And depending how deep the Wildcats make it this year, don’t count out seeing him suit up for the Wranglers again come season’s end.
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