Winnipeg Jets Add Josh Morrissey To The St. John’s IceCaps
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Winnipeg Jets are adding Josh Morrissey to the St. John’s IceCaps after his junior team; the Prince Albert Raiders were eliminated from the playoffs the other night.
Morrissey a promising up and coming defenceman that turned some heads at Jets training camp last year and was one of the final cuts, played in 59 games with the Raiders scoring 28 goals and 45 assists for 73 points and represented Team Canada at the World Juniors this year.
I got to see Morrissey play at the Jets’ training camp last fall and although I don’t like to compare young players to NHL stars, he reminded me of Duncan Keith, quick, smart with the puck, good hockey sense except Morrissey likes to hit. He’s listed at 6’ 185 lbs and hails from Calgary, Alberta.
The IceCaps are on a 24 wins and 8 losses run right now heading into the playoffs and Morrissey might be an added piece to push for the Calder Cup.
The 13th overall pick of the 2013 entry draft is going to be a strong candidate for a job in Winnipeg next year although he is eligible for another year in junior. According to the rules, Morrissey will either have to stay with the big club or be sent back to junior. He can’t play in the AHL full time as a teenager if his junior club is still playing. If he does head back to junior it will be his 5th year with the club.
Morrissey’s situation is very similar to that of current Jets’ super-rookie Mark Scheifele, who joined the Ice Caps for 10 games during the 2011-12 playoffs. Scheifele didn’t play for the Jets in the following lockout-shortened season, instead playing a final season for his Barrie Colts of the OHL.
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