There were 34 “2007” born players ranked on the CSR’s Final List a year ago. Only one of those 34 were ranked within the Top 90 which is New Brunswick’s own Charlie Morrison. It’s rare for a draft plus one to be selected let alone be selected as high as Morrison went (2nd round 28th overall). Another Maritime blueliner comes to mind as a draft plus one that went in the 2nd round which is none other than Jordan Spence.
Spence was selected 20th overall by Moncton in 2018 after getting passed over a year before. You can talk about late bloomers needing more time all you want, but every player that has ever blossomed into something special work their arse off and earned every opportunity that have come their way and that’s exactly what the aforementioned defencemen have done.
Photo Credit Daniel St Louis
Comparisons and comparables are commonplace in scouting world and in many cases they’re incredibly unfair. By no means is Morrison similar to Spence, but it’s very intriguing to see how time in the Maritime Hockey League at 16 helped their trajectory in the game.
The MHL is notorious for being a “old” circuit with the bulk of players at 19 and 20. It’s rare that “16’s” play let a lone have an impact.
Spence ripped the circuit up in 2017-18 with 51pts in 50 games, Morrison only appeared in 5 regular season games and 8 playoff games, but those 13 games undoubtedly prepared him for what to expect in his first foray in the QMJHL. There’s no question, news travelled fast around the scouting world when it was announced that Morrison was called up and would be joining the Miramichi Timberwolves for the playoffs.
Morrison’s progression from playing with the Champions Hockey Academy to this point is truly remarkable, but that ultimately revealed his drive, character and how much he loves the game and position.
This is what I wrote last year about Charlie Morrison after watching him on video.
Charlie Morrison LSD Champions Hockey Academy strong skating D-man will have to get quicker from lateral mobility perspective to ensure he reaches his full potential at the Q level, but here’s a kid that played games at the Jr A level to gain invaluable experience, he has a good stick and processes well, eager to jump in and support the rush, good puck skills and quality first pass,
Charlie Morrison might have flown under the radar or was a relative unknown a season ago, but there’s no question he’s making a name for himself now.
The highly skilled rangy two and half zone rearguard is no doubt on the radar of countless NHL scouts given his style of play and body of work this season with the Quebec Remparts. People who are inclined will look at his numbers or his plus/minus and judge, but it’s the numbers people don’t see or keep track of like TOI vs top lines or the other little things that go unappreciated that clearly jump off the page.
Morrison has been outstanding through three games versus the highly touted Moncton Wildcats. He’s logged massive minutes in every situation for the Remparts and brings stability, composure and poise to an already stellar young core group of defenders. Morrison’s compete level, processing, stick positioning and gap control have been extraordinary. Obviously, that’s rare given his age and experience, but as mentioned previously this kid has cut his teeth at various levels and has gained traction and then excelled at every stop a long the way.
“When I first saw him playing for Champions Hockey Academy, I saw it, size, skating and natural abilities,” said Morrison’s agent Dominic De Blois.
“Charlie is very athletic, I knew he had some serious potential. He has player well this year and it’s been a very steady progression.”
“The jump from where he was a year ago to today is very good. The Remparts have played him in a lot of situations and have done a very good job in bringing him along the right way,” stressed De Blois.
“Charlie believed he could do this long before anyone else shared in it,” said Chris Morrison, Charlie’s father.
“He decided at 13 to leave home for OHA, spent his next two seasons away as well playing for Champions. Charlie sacrificed so much in those three years, time away from family and friends, but his goal was so clear.”
“He wanted to play the highest level that he could play and work harder every time he was on the ice.” Charlie never cracked a Hockey New Brunswick or Team NB rosters. He could have given up, but he didn’t, instead, Charlie found some great people in Dax MacLean, Stacy Smallman and Matt Wright, who developed his skill at Champions Hockey Academy and who saw what he knew all along.”
“His agent, Dom De Blois, added another level of support to an already stacked corner, signing with the Remparts and having the opportunity to join their organization has propelled him in ways we couldn’t have imagined.”
“The Remparts have given him the tools that he has needed to step onto the ice feeling prepared, confident and ready to keep learning. He turned a great “what could have been” story into a “watch me” one,” said Morrison proudly.
Charlie Morrison has taken the road less travelled to accomplish his dreams in the game of hockey. His journey has been unconventional to say the least, his unwavering perseverance and persistence continues drive his progression.
From under the radar to a player to watch, Charlie Morrison.
FDS Sports Blog 