CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. –Brad Morrissey won’t be attending the Charlottetown Islanders training camp next week.
“He really wants to graduate from Notre Dame . . . and pursue the NCAA,” Islanders head coach Jim Hulton said. “At this point, we’ve exhausted our approach. It’s been very cordial and professional, but, as of right now, his heart is elsewhere.”
The Islanders drafted the Seacow Pond native in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2017 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft after his second season with the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, Sask., knowing there was a possibility of him choosing the NCAA route. He attended the Isles training camp but left in order to retain his NCAA eligibility.
The University of Maine commit returned to Notre Dame and helped the Hounds win the Telus Cup national midget championship last season.
Some players have changed their minds after committing to a university and then joined a major junior team, so the Islanders remained in touch with the right-winger. But it became apparent there wasn’t much movement occurring as Morrissey made it known he wanted to go to the United States for school and play for the Black Bears.
“Kids are well within their means to make the choices they think best suits them and their careers,” Hulton said. “We wish him all the best in his career. We’re disappointed that he’s not going to play for us, but he’s a quality kid and a real good hockey player and we hope he has success no matter what he does.”
Hulton said they will retain Morrissey’s major junior rights and if he plays in the QMJHL it will be as an Islander.
“We’ve seen these situations be very fluid in the past, and things can always change,” he said.
“There could still come a day when that happens, but it’s not going to be this year. . . He’d be welcomed with open arms, but I’m not going to be making any more calls at this point. He knows where we stand.”
The decision won’t change the outlook for the Islanders season, as they prepare to build off back-to-back semifinal appearances with the majority of last year’s squad able to return.
“One player doesn't make or break this club,” Hulton said. “You move on, and it provides an opportunity for another player.”
The Isles open camp on Aug. 17 at the APM Centre in Cornwall.
