Joe Morrow, a 32-year-old defenseman and former first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011, has signed a one-year deal with Unia Oswiecim in Poland’s top professional league, the Polska Hokej Liga (PHL). The team confirmed the signing in an official press release, marking another step in Morrow’s international hockey journey.
Morrow spent the last two seasons playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) with the Manchester Storm in the United Kingdom. In the 2024-25 season, he played 52 games and posted 34 points, consisting of nine goals and 25 assists, proving he remains a productive player on the back end.
Joe Morrow (NHL)Drafted by Penguins, Morrow’s NHL Path Led Elsewhere Before International Career Took Hold
Though selected by Pittsburgh in the first round, Morrow never played an NHL game for the team. He did, however, suit up for three other NHL clubs — the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Winnipeg Jets — with his final NHL appearance occurring during the 2018-19 season. After that, Morrow pursued opportunities overseas, competing in several top-tier leagues across Europe and Russia.
Notably, in March 2013, Morrow was involved in a trade between the Penguins and the Dallas Stars. Pittsburgh sent Morrow and a fifth-round pick to Dallas in exchange for veteran Brenden Morrow and a third-round pick. That pick turned into Jake Guentzel, who would go on to become an All-Star forward and a cornerstone player for the Penguins.
