Magic Man Morrissey!!!

paNOW.com staff

Josh Morrissey was already tabbed a franchise player within moments of being selected in the first round 6th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2010 Bantam draft.

If his rookie reviews are any indication, the 16-year-old from Calgary is delivering.

Morrissey has 5 goals and 19 assists which is better than the numbers put up by many well respected 19-year-old defensemen around the WHL. Even more impressive is Morrissey's team leading +9 considering he has spent most of the season playing against opposing team's best forwards.

The kid from Calgary was patient, poised and potent Saturday in Saskatoon with a goal and 3 assists. He controlled the puck at will eluding forchecking Blades forwards and made a game full of good first passes.

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Morrissey is also becoming a leader off the ice. He voluntarily joined two teammates who were on a mandatory conditioning run after practice during an early season road trip and turned humanitarian. He teamed with Shane Danyluk and Carson Perreaux to rescue a puppy from the frigid elements of a -40 degree evening.

Another player with an apparent bright future is 17-year-old winger Mike Winther. His team leading 22 goals includes 12 on the power play and his NHL draft stock is rising.

In addition to being rated 26th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Winther was number 40 on Craig's list (TSN commentator and former NHL GM Craig Button's monthly rankings of the top 60 draft eligible players). The next day Winther was tabbed 44th overall by International Scouting Services.

Winther was the Raiders first bantam pick, 6th overall in 2009. Meanwhile last spring's first rounder (8th overall) is making noise overseas. Reid Gardiner has 3 goals and 3 assists in four games for Canada at the World Youth Olympics in Austria, including Wednesday's shootout winner in a 3-2 victory over Finland.

The Prince Albert born Gardiner also took part in the NHLPA's mentorship program (A summer camp for 40 of Canada's top 15-year-old players also attended by P-A products Miles Warkentine and Jordan Harris), and played in the Western Canada under-16 championships.

Gardiner and third round draft choice Tim Vanstone of Swift Current are expected to not only crack the Raider lineup next season, but be contributors on a team fronted by future and already signed Chicago Blackhawk prospect Mark McNeill, as well as rugged defenseman Harrison Ruopp who is likely to patrol the blue line of the Phoenix Coyotes someday.

17-year-olds Logan McVeigh, Shane Danyluk, and Sawyer Lange are among others expected to further cement a solid foundation for the next couple seasons.

Regardless of how this season turns out, there is reason for optimism next year and beyond.

dwilson@rawlco.com