New England Star Praised In Freshman Year
While Northeastern has struggled in Hockey East this year, Mike
Morris has played like an old pro. Only a freshman, Morris has come
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into college and established himself as an up and comer in Division I hockey.
“After a few games I got the hang of it,” said Morris of his adjustment.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I knew the guys
would be bigger and stronger but the biggest thing was how the plays develop
faster. After playing at that level from a couple of games you kind of get the
hang of it.”
And he’s picked things up in short order. Morris has four goals and 14
points in 18 games for Northeastern, third on the team in scoring. His goal
total is low and Morris knows he needs to work on his shot and be in position
to shoot the biscuit more, but he’s not displeased with the effort up to
this point.
Morris earned his reputation in the competitive New England Prep School system
where he led his St. Sebastian’s team to back-to-back New England Prep
School Championships and was named U.S Hockey Report’s Prep School Player
of the Year.
What’s more amazing is that Morris led the team to its second title playing
with a broken hand. Despite his injury, he was a force on the ice and led the
team in scoring throughout the postseason. As captain, Morris felt it was his
role to lead by example and show some toughness; it’s something he felt
had to be done.
“I was the captain so I knew I had to play,” said Morris. “It
wasn’t that bad that it was going to keep me out. Besides, I wanted to
help my team, I wanted to lead them.”
St. Sebastian’s won the title and Morris’ stock rose dramatically.
At the mid-season CSB rankings he was 101st among North American skaters and
finished 57th. And at the 2002 entry draft, The San Jose Sharks tabbed Morris
with the 27th pick in the first round, a surprise to many who did not expect
Morris to be taken that high.
“His team won the championship for the second year in a row and he was
the top scorer on his team in the best league, so all the credentials were there,”
Sharks amateur scouting director Tim Burke said. “We weren't really concerned
with the rankings. We felt overall that he was the best player available at
the time.”
The Sharks are in no rush to bring Morris along and would much prefer to take
their time and have him play out his college string. As a freshman, it’s
conceivable that Morris will fulfill his entire eligibility with the Huskies
but San Jose does keep an eye on their prospect.
On a scouting trip, Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi took in the Northeastern-Boston
University game on November 1st where he undoubtedly saw what Morris could do.
In a 7-6 loss, Morris registered four points and played the point on the power
play. Lombardi thought what he did in that game was “pretty impressive
for a freshman.”
Morris was invited to the U.S evaluation camp for the World Junior Championships
in August where he was among his contemporaries.
“It was a good camp to be there with some of the best players in the country.
Actually I hurt my wrist on the third day. It kept me out for the rest of the
time there. It was disappointing but I had to push through it.”
Morris did not make the final cut and admits now that it was a blow because
who wouldn’t want to go against the best of their age group in the world
to test skills and styles in front of a large audience.
“I was disappointed; I am not going to lie. The coach (Lou Vairo) picked
the best players he thought; he picked the players he wanted.”
But Morris can only control what is in front of him and that would be to continue
improving and open the eyes of people everywhere; not making Team USA will be
a source of motivation that carries him through the season to work hard and
get better.
Northeastern hasn’t exactly been setting the hockey world on fire. The
Huskies are 6-12-2 overall, 1-10-1 in Hockey East conference play.
In consecutive weekends, Northeastern has lost four tough games to Boston University
(January 4th and 5th) and Maine (January 10th and 11th) where they were outscored
21-4.
“We’re a hard working team. We just have to play smarter and not
run around all the team and read the plays and execute. I think we have done
a good job as our coach has put in some good systems for us to use. We have
to play within ourselves.”
McKeen's scouting report & profile of Mike
Morris