Position: Defense
Age: 18
Date of Birth: December 9, 1992
Place of Birth: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 198
Shoots: Left
Joe Morrow joins Sven Bartschi from Ryan Johansen’s Portland Winterhawks team, which in 2011 fell a few wins short of the WHL title. Morrow brings a little more bulk to the table, as he’s already pushing 200 pounds at age 18, standing 6-foot-1. Morrow doesn’t score like a Ryan Murphy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t bring something to the offense. Morrow is a solid skater who can bring the puck up ice and can help to facilitate the offense. Central Scouting has him ranked 12th overall heading into the draft. Morrow doesn’t have eye-popping offensive numbers, but he made a lot of his bones on the Power Play, scoring six PP goals (of his nine goals overall) this past season to lead his club’s defensemen. He’s also super-strong, and willing to use that strength to push opponents off the puck. Morrow has a solid family tree, as his dad and his older brother was both drafted, though neither actually made the NHL.
2010/2011 Regular Season Stats:
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
| 60 | 9 | 40 |
49 |
+23 | 67 |
Scouting Report (The Scouting Report):
Talented defender that skates well and has the ability to move the puck up ice.
“It’s amazing how strong he is. He has so much power in his legs and upper body, and his leg strength is a big part of his explosive skating as well as his big shot.” –Portland Director of Hockey Operations Matt Bardsley
In His Own Words:
“I think my strengths are my skating, and my shot, which I work on a lot. I would like to work on my quickness down low in the corners.”
“I like to bring an offensive aspect to the game, even as a defenseman because it’s fun to jump in the rush and makes the game a bit more exciting, but I know that defense is still my main responsibility.”
Why he’d be a good fit in Columbus:
Morrow has more size than some of the other offensive-minded defensemen in this draft, and though he doesn’t have the coveted right-handed shot, he does possess the ability to move the puck, generate a little offense, and work on the Power Play. The new NHL–as well as Scott Arniel’s desired system–requires defensemen that can move the puck and join the rush as needed. Morrow can fit that bill. He has the size to grow into the NHL and play on-man defense, and his skating, strength, and shot will help him acclimate as well. He might be a reach at pick #8, but he also has the skills-set to make an impact in the NHL down the line.Joe Morrow Likes to Throw Down:
Morrow Will Not Be Enlisted for Shootout Help: