Why Josh Morrissey Means So Much to the Jets
Every team has a player like this—the guy who holds everything together. For the Winnipeg Jets, that player might be Josh Morrissey. And if you want proof, just read about what Kyle Connor had to say about him.
After his injury, Morrissey jumped right back into the Jets’ lineup.
When Morrissey returned to the lineup this weekend after missing time with an upper-body injury, he didn’t exactly ease back into things. Instead, he stepped right into the spotlight, scoring the overtime winner in a 3–2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He also added an assist and fired five shots on net. Not bad for a guy who hadn’t played in a while.
But for his teammate Connor, the goal wasn’t really the story. After the game, Connor talked about Morrissey in the kind of way teammates usually reserve for the players they trust the most.
He called him an “incredible player and person.” That’s the kind of praise that tells you this goes beyond just hockey. Connor said Morrissey means a lot to the team and described him as one of his favourite teammates. In other words, Morrissey isn’t just producing on the ice — he’s someone the room leans on.
The numbers back up Morrissey's value to the Jets.
And the numbers back that up. Even after missing games with injury, Morrissey is still leading Jets defensemen in scoring. He’s sitting at 11 goals and 44 points in 57 games, while also piling up blocked shots and logging big minutes every night. When the Jets need someone to calm things down, move the puck, or jump into the play offensively, he’s usually the guy doing it.
Connor hinted at something else that’s easy to overlook. He mentioned that Morrissey is often the Jets' best player on the ice on many nights. That’s not a small compliment, especially on a team with players like Connor himself, who can take over games.
But Morrissey has quietly become that kind of presence.
Morrissey drives the offence from the blue line.
He plays big minutes, drives the offence from the blue line, and seems to elevate the players around him. And when he came back this week, the impact was immediate. That overtime goal felt like a reminder of just how much the Jets missed him.
For Winnipeg, this return could be coming at the perfect time. As the playoff race tightens, having Morrissey healthy changes the look of the entire team. The defence gets steadier, the puck moves quicker, and the Jets suddenly feel a little more dangerous.
Could having Morrissey back be the difference-maker this season? Or is it too late?
Sometimes you don’t realize how important a player is until he’s gone for a while.
For the Jets, Josh Morrissey’s return was a pretty clear reminder.