2016 top 25 Avalanche under 25: #22 Cameron Morrison

Cameron Morrison is the second player to make their first appearance on the Top 25 Under 25 list, debuting at 22nd. Morrison actually had an average rank of 16.2 among our BSN staff, but only appeared on 6 of our 7 ballots. That ranking, while low for a player selected 40th overall just a few months ago, is a good reflection of the division among scouts, some of whom regard Morrison highly as a potential power forward, while others considered him a larger risk more deserving of a 3rd round selection.

After a 34 goal and 66 point performance in 60 games with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms last season, Morrison is headed to the NCAA to play for the University of Notre Dame. The Avalanche hold Morrison’s exclusive negotiating rights until the summer of 2020, at the conclusion of a four year college career. Cameron Morrison is a prototypical power forward who doesn’t dazzle with speed or flash, but wears his opponents and plays straight through them.

Who is Cameron Morrison?

The Colorado Avalanche drafted Cameron Morrison to the organization with the 40th overall selection in 2016 coming off an impressive season in the USHL where Morrison won rookie of the year and replaced Winnipeg top prospect Kyle Connor as the top center for the Youngstown Phantoms. Before that, Morrison played in the OJHL and Canadian U-17 and U-18 development teams.

At the USHL level Morrison has been quick to adopt the power forward identity. The 6’2″ 207 lb forward isn’t a bruiser, but he does play heavy, using his long reach and wide frame to dominate in all phases of the game. While Morrison certainly boasts a good offensive IQ and a lethal shot, his speed, skating, and creativity may not have high enough peaks to see him achieve an eventual scoring role in the NHL. What’s nice about Morrison, however, is that his USHL success was so multi-faceted, making it easy to picture him as an effective depth player at the professional level some years from now.

What is the future for Cameron Morrison?

Because Morrison was unable to participate in the on-ice portion of Avalanche development camp, it’s difficult to change much about our projection for Morrison from our initial scouting report. If Morrison continues to develop his skating, and fills his big frame with a professional conditioning regiment then he projects as a middle six forward at the next level.

Morrison should see plenty of ice time in a key role for the University of Notre Dame this season. As for his future impact on the Avalanche organization, Morrison is certainly a “project” player who is still years away from NHL hockey. He will likely spend 2-3 years playing college hockey before going pro and entering the AHL.

Along with JT Compher, AJ Greer, JC Beaudin, and Tyson Jost, Cameron Morrison figures to be an important part of replenishing the Avalanche’s forward depth in years to come as older players like Jarome Iginla, Blake Comeau, and Carl Soderberg move on.