Cale Morris appeared in just seven games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs this past season, but knows the best is yet to come as the 25-year-old Larkspur native has re-signed with the top Chicago Blackhawks affiliate for the 2021-22 season.

In limited action, Morris went 2-3-0 with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

He made his professional debut on Feb. 22 in a relief appearance against Cleveland, making 13 saves on 14 shots in the third period, and won both of his first two professional starts, collecting 35 saves in a 3-2 win over Cleveland on Feb. 23 and a season-high 38 saves on Mar. 22 to guide the IceHogs to a 6-1 victory over Iowa.

“I’m super excited to be back and be part of this organization,” said Morris. “It’s definitely a world-class organization. I’m looking forward to a full, hopefully, normal season next year. I’m happy to re-sign early in the summer and get back to work. It was awesome to get my feet wet with the shortened season and get accustomed to the professional life and building relationships with the coaching staff.

“I thought I took a pretty good step in my career and I’m looking to take another big step this summer.”

Rockford coach Derek King is excited to see what Morris can do in his second pro season.

“He did a great job for us,” said King. “He’s a great kid and he’s got a great way about him, his demeanor. It earned him the respect from us and his teammates and the right to come back for another year. I’m looking for him to come in here and push the other goalies for the starting position.”

Prior to joining the IceHogs, Morris played four years at Notre Dame. In his senior season (2019-20), Morris appeared in 33 games, earning a 12-14-7 record with 2.42 GAA and a .916 save percentage, receiving Academic All-Big Ten and an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.

During the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns with the Fighting Irish, Morris gained national attention with an outstanding 1.94 GAA and .944 save percentage as a sophomore, earning a 27-8-1 record and leading team to the Big 10 championship and was named tournament MVP, to the Big 10 All-Tournament Team, NCAA First All-American Team, Big 10 Player of the Year, received the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s top collegiate goaltender and became a Hobey Baker Finalist for the top overall player in the NCAA.

He continued his strong play into his junior year and helped capture a second Big 10 title with a 19-13-3 mark, a 2.19 GAA and a .930 save percentage and finished as a Mike Richter Award semifinalist, team MVP and Hobey Baker fan vote nominee.

In total, Morris wrapped up his four-year career at Notre Dame as the team’s all-time leader in career save percentage (.931) and second in GAA (2.18) and wins (58) and pitched an overall record of 58-53-11 in 106 appearances.

During his youth career, Morris played for the Colorado Thunderbirds and Colorado Hockey Club (now Colorado Rampage).

Photo/Rockford IceHogs

(July 1, 2021)