The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The road to the NHL isn't easy, and Morgan Cey will say that is true. "From Flin Flon to Notre Dame to here is a lot of hard work," he explained. Cey, a former Flin Flon Bomber, knew it was getting down to the wire for his professional career to happen. Sure enough, he signed his first professional contract as a free agent with the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. "I was so excited, I was jumping out of my bed screaming and yelling," says the goalie who played four years with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His agent called Cey on Wednesday, August 24 to inform him of the two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "I just went to the rink everyday and worked hard. Now I'm living my dream as I kept believing. I always think I have a chance (on making the NHL). I have a goal for now and that's making the AHL," says the 23-year-old, from Wilkie, Saskatchewan. Cey will be heading to the Lightning rookie camp on September 4, then head to the regular camp in Tampa Bay on September 12. To help him with his AHL goal, he has been working with a personal trainer, Kelly Riou in Saskatoon, which Cey says has helped. "I knew I needed an extra step," he says, about his conditioning. Working with Riou, who is very hockey specific and a very motivational voice, he has pushed the goalie harder than ever. "He doesn't let you slack. I'm used to working out for an hour," says Cey. "He has been forcing me to work harder and has me on the ice for an hour-and-a-half." When Cey makes his way to Tampa Bay, he will be on the ice with Sean Burke and John Grahame. Will their presence make him nervous or intimidated? "I'm looking forward to being with them and it will motivate my level of play," says an ecstatic Cey. "I expect to meet them and be courteous. If they come and talk to me to give advice, I will gladly listen." Cey leaves the Notre Dame Fighing Irish with his numbers etched into their record books. In 85 games, he posted a 35-36-10 record with, six shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and .913 save percentage. Cey said the difference between playing in Flin Flon to Notre Dame came down to speed. "Everyone is stronger and quicker," he says, on the difference between playing Jr. A and U.S. college hockey. He explained that playing in both Notre Dame and Flin Flon was a big part of his life and had kind words for a local family who was part of that. "I want to thank my billet family, Kim and Sherry McConnell, for their support. "Yesterday,(Wednesday) was one of the greatest days of my life, it's unbelievable and lots of people made sacrifices for me." If Cey does as he says, Bomber fans can keep an eye on his career while playing for the Springfield Falcons, which is Tampa Bay's affiliate club.
