Chicago Blackhawks' Jeremy Morin's Big Weekend in Toronto

The Chicago Blackhawks get some prospects on the ice this weekend when selected players participate in the Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie Invitational Tournament. 

For Blackhawks prospect Jeremy Morin, it could be the biggest weekend of his professional career.

Morin is set to take part on the 'Hawks team, which also includes five members of Chicago's 2011 draft class tomorrow night when his squad faces off against Toronto's entry in the tournament. Games with Ottawa and Pittsburgh follow on Sunday and Tuesday.

Saturday's game marks the first game action for Morin in nearly eight months. Morin has likely had this weekend circled on his calender for some time.

Sure, the tournament will provide a look at players like Shawn Lalonde, Dylan Olsen, Ryan Stanton and Jimmy Hayes (the full roster is here). However, in my mind, Morin is definitely the one to watch.

A second-round pick by Atlanta in 2009, Morin came to Chicago last summer as a much ballyhooed piece of the six-player swap that sent Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, and Brent Sopel to the Thrashers. Morin impressed a lot of people at training camp last fall and looked to have a fast track to the bigs.

Morin appeared in nine games with the Blackhawks in November and December when Marian Hossa was out. He picked up his first NHL goal December 8th against Dallas.

There were moments where it looked like the 'Hawks might've burned the first year of his entry contract and kept him in Chicago, but the 19-year-old was sent to play for the U.S. team in the World Junior Championships.

Morin was banged up in the WJC, but got into four games and recorded an assist. From there he went back to Rockford to continue his development.

Unfortunately, he played in just three games in Rockford upon his return.

On January 15th, in a game against the Chicago Wolves, Morin was upended and landed on his head. He has not played since.

The Ice Hogs termed it an upper body injury, but it appeared to be more specifically a head and neck injury. As a result, Morin's first professional season ended with 22 AHL games, eight goals and four assists.

The shutdown obviously put the clamps on what was a promising rookie season. Morin has a great release and is not afraid to get dirty in the corners. He even threw down the gloves once with the 'Hawks against St. Louis.

Morin has work to do on his skating and defense and a full season in Rockford would have gone a long way to making him NHL-ready this season. However, that timetable may have been turned back with the time he missed.

Morin went over to Switzerland last month with a few other Blackhawks to train, and was with the team during the playoffs. All signs are that Morin is ready to return and get back in the mix at this year's camp.

It may be just a bunch of rookies out there this weekend, but Jeremy Morin is heading to Toronto hoping it's the start of a return to the road to Chicago.