NHL star expected to join Blazers next week

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Dallas Stars left winger Brenden Morrow won't sign with the Oklahoma City Blazers in time for Friday's season opener, but will probably join the team next week. <br/><br/>A

Tuesday, October 19th 2004, 12:27 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Dallas Stars left winger Brenden Morrow won't sign with the Oklahoma City Blazers in time for Friday's season opener, but will probably join the team next week.

A source close to the team tells The Oklahoman Morrow is expected to sign a contract before the Blazers' October 29th home game against Shreveport.

The 25-year-old NHL star is close friends with Blazers' captain Tyler Fleck. The two grew up together in the small Canadian town of Carlyle, Saskatchewan.

Morrow would be the second NHL player since the league's September 15th lockout to sign with a Central Hockey League team.

Tampa Bay defenseman Brad Lukowich is playing for the Fort Worth Brahmas.

The CHL recently ruled that league teams can sign only one player from NHL rosters.