Morrissey sent back — the right move

The Winnipeg Jets did the responsible thing by sending Raider captain Josh Morrissey back to Prince Albert. There were valid arguments for both keeping the Calgary kid in the NHL and sending him back to the juniors.

Morrissey posted 72 points in 59 games last season including a franchise record 28 goals. He also put up two goals and seven assists in the 20 game AHL playoff run to the league final by the St. John’s Ice Dogs. Throw in his experience playing for Canada at the World Junior championships and you could justify keeping Morrissey in the show considering he is sporting a bigger and stronger body to go along with a ton of skill.

However, instead of spot duty and some nights in the NHL press boxes, the Jets have opted for the chance to have Morrissey continue to develop through about 30 minutes of ice time a game in all situations. Morrissey said upon arriving back in Prince Albert, he will continue to work on the attributes that made him the 13th overall pick by the Jets in the 2013 NHL draft, namely a fleet of foot and fast puck-moving game while quarterbacking the power play and anchoring the penalty kill.

Morrissey is disappointed — who wouldn’t be. Playing in the NHL is his dream and let’s not forget the $925,000 rookie salary as opposed to the WHL stipend. But money is not the issue. The Raider captain is his own worst critic and focused on improving every day knowing that is the fastest route back to the NHL. Morrissey is excited to see his Raider teammates and knows it won’t be long until he gets another chance to wear the Team Canada jersey at the World Junior championships in Toronto and Montreal.

Josh also learned last season that a return back from the NHL doesn’t mean automatic domination of the game at the junior level. It may be a far cry from the NHL but play at the dub level is still very high and Josh learned that at times last season when he tried to do too much.

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There has never been any doubt about Josh Morrissey’s skill and intelligence. His increasing strength and resolve to play in the NHL as early as next season will mean more wins for the Raiders, but the real winners will be the fans who get to watch arguably the best defenceman in the WHL and one of the best players in franchise history for one more season.          

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: @RaidersVoice