The Dallas Stars, parent club of the AHL’s Texas Stars, announced sunday that they have acquired defenseman Joe Morrow and a fifth-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Brenden Morrow and a third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.
"We had a great opportunity to acquire a young, top-end defenseman in Joe Morrow and we are delighted to add him to our organization," said Dallas general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. "We identified Joe as an outstanding prospect and a target for acquisition if ever available, and we feel he can solidify our blue line for the foreseeable future."
Joe Morrow, 20, was Pittsburgh’s first-round selection (23rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He has earned four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 57 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL this season, his first professional campaign. Morrow was recalled by Pittsburgh on Feb. 10, but has still not skated in an NHL game.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound defenseman spent four full seasons playing for the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he increased his point totals in each of his final three seasons with the team, earning 31, 49 and 64 points, respectively. During the 2011-12 season, he ranked second among all WHL defensemen in scoring with 64 points (17g, 47a) and finished as a WHL First-Team All-Star.
Additionally, the Edmonton native helped lead his club to the WHL Finals, earning 17 points (4G-13A) in their playoff run, which was tied for the most by any Portland defenseman.
