Travis Morin shall forever be synonymous with the Texas Stars.

The Minnesota native has announced his retirement from professional hockey after twelve seasons.

Ten of those were as a member of the Texas Stars and was the sole player to take the ice in all of those campaigns beginning in the inaugural 2009-10 season.

Morin turned professional late in the 2006-07 season with South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) after finishing at Minnesota State University.

The Hershey Bears signed the centre man for two seasons though he primarily suited up for the Stingrays during that time – racking up 175 points in 147 ECHL outings and adding another 39 points in playoff campaigns.
His performances earned him various awards including an All-Star game but most crucially a Kelly Cup Championship in 2009.

Morin probably had no idea at the time but a switch to the west coast would become a second home the same summer as hoisting his first silverware.

The former 2005 draft selection by the Washington Capitals (263rd overall) rarely featured in the NHL with just fifteen games for the Dallas Stars in which he produced just one assist in a limited role.

However that lack of NHL success does not define Morin, who twice captained the Dallas affiliate.
Far from it actually, finishing his professional career as the Texas Stars regular season franchise leader with 686 games played, 560 points, 175 goals, and 385 assists.

The 2013-14 campaign was Morin’s crowning glory as he earned the Les Cunningham Award (AHL MVP), John B. Sollenberger Award (Scoring Leader), and Jack A. Butterfield Award (Playoff MVP) en route to ensuring Texas won the 2014 Calder Cup.

In fact the four-time AHL all-star led his team in scoring for half of the ten seasons he played and set other milestones along the way.

• On Dec. 27, 2017 he became the 92nd player in AHL history to record 500 career points and one of just 20 players to record 500 points with the same organization.
• His 686 games with the Stars are 8th in AHL history while playing for one team.
• Morin wraps up his career in the American Hockey League tied for 29th in playoff points (64), tied for 40th in assists (386), and tied for 67th in points (561).

So what does the future now hold for Travis Morin?

Well he’s still going to be involved with hockey and with the Texas Stars who very wisely chose to hire someone so integrated into the fabric of their team and community.
Morin will serve both as a skills development coach in hockey operations and in a business development and community outreach role in the front office.

Texas Stars Press Release

“It is my pleasure to welcome Travis to the Texas Stars front office. His accomplishments on-ice and efforts in the community have played a major role in our organization’s success,” said Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Michael Delay. “He has been the face of the franchise for a decade and has made Central Texas his home. We’re thrilled that he will remain a part of our family and look forward to his continued contributions to the Texas Stars in his new role.”

As his loyalty and achievements richly deserve, Morin will be honoured before a Texas Stars game against Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday, October 19th 2019 with a ceremony which will entail his number 23 officially being retired.

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