By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders prospect Morrissey ready to make an immediate impact

Aug 24, 2011 | 4:51 PM

Hopes have been high for Josh Morrissey ever since the Prince Albert Raiders drafted the defenceman sixth overall in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.

Now in his first year eligible to play in a full season in WHL, the Raiders will give him every opportunity to do so and feel he will be able to contribute throughout the season.

“We honestly believe he can step in and have an impact on our team,” said Raiders general manager and coach Bruno Campese.

“He’s a physically mature and strong player at 16 and he’s got great hockey sense. Those are the two attributes that as a 16-year-old make the difference between being a regular player and a solid contributor to being a part-time guy.

“We really believe that he has the attributes to being a full-time contributor.”

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Campese compared Morrissey’s immediate potential to the impressive WHL defencemen rookie class of last year in Portland Winterhawk Derrick Pouliot, Moose Jaw Warrior Morgan Rielly, Edmonton Oil King Griffin Reinhart and Red Deer Rebel Mathew Dumba. They were the first four picks taken in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft and all won gold representing Team Canada at the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this summer. Campese said he feels Morrissey’s season could rival those four.

“We really believe that if all goes well that Josh has those same capabilities,” said Campese.

During Tuesday’s light skate the Raiders held before their training camp officially starts Aug. 25, Morrissey said he’s aware of what’s expected of him and feels confident he can produce.

“I guess with the expectations, there does come pressure, but I’m somebody that’s put in the preparation in the off-season and I should be ready to handle those pressures,” said Morrissey.

“I’m excited – it should be an exciting year.”

Morrissey recently went to the Crash Conditioning elite performance camp in his native Calgary earlier this month and not only skated with NHL defenceman Mike Green of the Washington Capitals, but was his defence partner numerous times during the camp. He said he learned a lot from that experience.

Listed last season at six-foot-zero, 177 pounds, Morrissey said he gained 10 pounds of muscle over the season as well and thinks he’s physically ready as well.

Morrissey dominated the Alberta Midget Hockey League last season, being named the Alberta defenceman of the year, scoring 39 points in 30 games with the Calgary Royals. He also played all five games he was eligible to participate in as a 15-year-old with the Raiders and learned a lot from that time.

“Obviously, being a young guy playing with a lot of 18, 19 and 20-year olds, it’s a pretty big difference than guys my own age,” said Morrissey.

“Coming from Midget and U16, it was a huge difference in speed and strength and deception (in the WHL). Obviously they’re a lot more seasoned so they know the little tricks or what not, so it’s definitely a big difference. The more you play and get used to those types of players, it gets easier.”

Heading into his second Raiders camp, Morrissey wants to prove to Campese and the rest of the coaching staff that he can come in and make an impact right away.

“I think that I just want to prove that I came in ready and that I’m ready not only to crack the roster, but be a difference maker this year,” said Morrissey.

“I think coming in, obviously knowing how (a WHL camp) works this year instead of coming in as a deer in the headlights as a 15-year-old, I’m ready to show my stuff and make a name for myself.”

jdandrea@panow.com