Cameron Morrison is putting up points – and sticking by his goal, which might disappoint North Bay Battalion supporters.
The Aurora, Ont., native, whose OHL playing rights were obtained by the Battalion in the third round of the 2014 priority selection, is tied for first in USHL scoring as a 17-year-old rookie left wing with the Youngstown Phantoms. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish recruit might be well on his way to being rookie of the year for a second time, after winning the honor for the entire Canadian Junior Hockey League last season with his hometown OJHL Aurora Tigers.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound Morrison has risen to 59th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking.
“I felt like coming down here would be good for my development for college going into next season, to really grow as a player,” says Morrison, who has 22 goals and 43 points across 39 games for the Phantoms. “College is a different schedule than major junior. During the week you just work on your skills and practice and play games on the weekend. I think it can really do a lot for me as a player and student.
“Right now I'm just focused on finishing my season with Youngstown, but I expect to be playing with Notre Dame next season,” adds Morrison, who recently completed in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
“I can't wait to get in there and see what they can do for me not only as a player but as a student too.”
Morrison inherited the No. 1 left wing job in Youngstown from Winnipeg Jets first-rounder Kyle Connor, who is a freshman sensation at the University of Michigan. Connor had three seasons in Youngstown to make an impression on NHL scouts, but Morrison has won over several in half a year.
“It's starting to heat up and there's definitely that buzz,” Morrison says of the pre-draft attention.
“You have to keep focused on your own game and be focused on playing.”
Morrison had a tryout for Canada's summer under-18 team, which was coached by Battalion coach and director of hockey operations Stan Butler. Phantoms GM Jason Koehler relates that Morrison bypassed the normal 15- to 20-game learning curve that is common for high school-aged USHL rookies.
“The first time I saw Cameron, both of us, our coach [John Wroblewski] and I, we said 'that's our first-round pick,' ” Koehler says. “We both thought he would be able to come in based on having good, strong, big body, a power forward-type, and have a pretty smooth transition as a top-six forward. I'm thrilled with what he's doing, although I'd by lying if I said I expected it. That's not a shot at Cam – I expected some adjustment and then he'd catch fire in the second half. But he came right out of the gates.
“I wouldn't be shocked if he was a late first-rounder,” Koehler adds. “We expect Cam to be a high NHL pick – second, third round. I'm not making the picks, but based on whom we've had in the past and who else has been drafted out of our league who's comparable, that's the ballpark.
“I can easily see his stock going up and up.”
Morrison's centre and billet house mate with the Phantoms, Detroit Red Wings fifth-rounder Chase Pearson, also spent his age-16 season in Ontario before relocating. Morrison relates that Pearson, son of former NHL forward Scott Pearson, has provided valuable mentorship.
“Chase has definitely helped me a lot. He took me through the first couple weeks, instructed me on how things work down here and what I could do to be a more successful player. On the ice and off the ice, he's been there for me.”
A NHL organization can often influence whether a draft pick goes to the NCAA or major junior. The Battalion will also have some open spots next season since their 1-2 punch of 19-year-old centre Mike Amadio and overage wing Mathew Santos will each graduate.
Morrison, though, is satisfied with the path he and his parents, Allison and Stewart, decided to pursue early in his OJHL season. His Phantoms coach, John Wroblewski, is also a former Notre Dame captain, meaning Morrison can ask just about anything he wants about being a hockey player on the iconic South Bend, Ind., campus.
“The USHL is definitely becoming a better league every year,” Morrison relates.
“The talent the league shows is just remarkable. There's quite a bit of drafted players and you have to give it your all every night in order to be competitive.”
