Logan Morrison (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
Neutral Zone NHL’s Paul O’Hagan: Although he is not big, Logan is very strong in the corners and in front of the net. He does not initiate physical contact to create turnovers rather taking smart angles and using his strong hands to win puck battles. After taking possession of the puck Logan plays with his head up and has the vision to be a high level play maker. Our main area for concern as a top level NHL prospect is his speed. We know he will develop and get stronger, but we are still watching and trying to figure out if that added strength will transition to a more powerful stride. The area we are not concerned about is his brain. His game situational awareness is at a very high level. Logan sees the entire ice well and is very patient with or without the puck. He does not force high risk plays that will in turnovers, but rather consistently chooses to make the right hockey play to keep his team on the attack. Defensively, he again has solid awareness and creates turnovers through anticipation and a very good stick that closes down passing lanes quickly. He will play in every type of game situation for Hamilton, but we do not view him as an NHL penalty killer. We do feel he has the high hockey IQ and skill set to be a power play option. Logan has the courage to stand in front of the net and the puck skills to play along the goal line or mid-wall. Again, his anticipation and awareness could prove to be a real asset on an NHL power play.
Hamilton Bulldogs NHL Prospects, March 2020: Logan was not a factor in this game.
Hamilton Bulldogs NHL Prospects, February 2020: Early in this game the line of Arthur Kaliyev, Jan Mysak and Morrison were excellent and generated offense consistently. Their high pace attack and quick transition helped the Bulldogs to a 3-1 first period lead. Morrison moved pucks well to his wingers in transition and directed the offense well finding his wingers through the neutral zone. He is a nifty right shot forward with a high offensive IQ and strong power play presence. Morrison excels with the extra man where most of the Hamilton power play runs through his hands. As the season progresses we are seeing improvements in Morrison’s pace and ability to close on opposition attackers in all zones of the ice, but in the second half of this game was a struggle as the game evolved and Flint found their forecheck. Morrison and the Bulldogs top line struggled under the forecheck. Game Grade: C+
February NHL Draft Rankings, February 2020: Logan was ranked #231 in our February NHL Draft Rankings.
OHL – Barrie at Hamilton NHL Prospects, October 2019: Logan is one of the most gifted play makers in the 2020 OHL draft class. He is a solid and dependable two way forward who plays against the other team’s top guys. He is an obvious leader and wears a letter for this Hamilton club. Their first round selection from the 2018 draft Logan is gifted down low where he works exceptionally hard and smart at getting to loose pucks on retrieval. Once the puck is on his stick his head is up and he is scanning for options. He has zip on his passes and is seldom careless with the puck. On the power play Logan is the net front low slot guy who gets in front of the goalies eyes and becomes a distraction for the penalty killers. He plays with great awareness, tracks the puck well and jumps on rebounds to retain possession. On one particular power play chance he took the puck to the net, showed patience, and when the goalie dropped Logan roofed in up over his shoulder. On this night he produced 4 points in Hamilton’s 7-5 win including a goal and assist on the power play, and an assist on Hamilton’s game winner. Game Grade A
OHL Gold Cup, May 2018: Among the leading goal scorers in the tournament Morrison looked very strong playing on a deeper OMHA White team. Logan continued to showcase his elite ability to see the ice and create high level plays. He has a great shot and releases it quickly. He scored 5 goals in the 4 tournament games and hit 2-3 times as many posts and crossbars. Offensively, Morrison was among the most consistent threats all weekend.
2018 OHL Draft Rankings, March 2018: Logan is a skilled centerman with offensive flare and creativity. Morrison has lots of skill and play making qualities. He has top-level speed at this level he showed a more complete 200-foot game as the match progressed. His high hockey IQ and an understanding of where to be on the ice in all 3 zones showed well in Guelph’s playoff run to the OMHA finals and in the OHL Cup against some steady defensive players. We would like to see him get stronger to be more effective against top-tier teams.
Marlies Holiday Classic, February 2018: Logan continues to produce offensively in the SCTA. He continues to show a high hockey IQ and understands where to be on the ice. He has good hands in tight and a good first stride to create separation. Morrison’s legs looked stronger in the Marlies tournament in our viewings as he was able to get a few more open looks.
OHL Draft December Rankings, December 2017: Logan was rated 10th in our December ratings.
OHL Draft October Rankings, October 2017: Logan was rated the 7th overall prospect by Neutral Zone.
Toronto Titans, November 2017: Morrison is a skilled offensive player who generates time and space with his hockey IQ and speed off the rush. He’s both quick and squirrely, has dynamic stick skills and a rapid release, which allows him to score from anywhere in the offensive zone. He’s an honest, two-way center who wins puck battles in his own end, takes the body and supports the puck on breakouts. He has separational speed and can either dangle defenders in open ice or protect the puck along the wall or in the corners and get to the net. He won a high percentage of his draws and has one of the better shots we saw all week. Other 2020 NHL Draft hopefuls Jean-Luc Foudy, Ethan Cardwell, George Diaco, Zayde Wisdom, Ryan Alexander, Jake Uberti and Frankie Carogioiello. While we feel William Portokalis, Cameron Tolnai, Eric Russell, McKay Hayes, Davis Young, Cameron Peters, Ethan Sims, Spencer Smith and Isaac Langdon are all prospects who have evaluated well in the past, including receiving ‘A’ grades here who have a chance to develop over the next few years.
Wendy Dufton, October 2017: Early in the season Morrison has shown offensive flare and creativity. With Guelph going deeper in the London tournament he showed a more complete 200 foot game. He was solid on the penalty kill all weekend. He has a high hockey IQ and understands where to be on the ice. Morrison is a such a smooth skater and gets around the ice with ease. He plays the point QB on power play and has an elite shot and high level passing ability. Morrison goes to the net looking to score and he has a goal scorer’s touch offensively.
World Selects Invite (2002s), June 2017: A highly intelligent, skilled froward with vision and a quick shot. He’s undersized but plays a skilled, puck possession game utilizing his quick feet and smooth puck handling ability. A savvy passer who can create scoring chances for himself or his linemates out of nothing. He compiled an impressive 3 goals and 4 assists over 9 games. The forwards who dominated at the 2017 WSI looks like a who’s who of the top few rounds of the 2020 NHL Draft: Alexander Holtz, Danil Gushchin, Quintin Byfield, Ty Tullio, Cole Perfetti, Tanner Latsch, Connor McClennon, Josh Lawrence, Antonio Stranges, Ty Smilanic, Stephen Halliday, Ryan Kirwan , Jake Neighbours, Alex Gaffney, Zion Nybeck, Bogdan Trineev, Artem Shlaine, Ridly Greig, Landon Slaggert, Will Cuylle, Chase Bradley, Luke Tuch, Colby Ambrosio, Vasily Ponomarev, Riley Piercey, Aidan Thompson, Kaspar Simontaival, Dylan Peterson, Blake Biondi, Raivis Kristlans Ansons, Kienan Draper, Jack Smith, Thomas Bordeleau and highly rated 2021 prospects Zach Stringer, Daniil Lazutin, Matthew Knies and Matt Argentina.
Wendy Dufton, October 2016: Logan is a small nifty forward with speed and good hockey IQ. Logan’s best chances came off the rush as he was able to back off the opposing D-men with his speed and offensive creativity. He distributed the puck well to his line mates and looked very good as an underage player (2002) playing against the 2001 age group. The Wendy Dufton was loaded with familiar names who are currently playing Major Junior or college hockey. Some have been drafted while others are hoping to hear their names in called in 2020: Cameron Butler, Ryan Suzuki, Tyler Tullio, Cole Mackay, Cole Schwindt, Alex Newhook, Jacob Winterton, Luke Drewitt, Navrin Mutter, Adam Jeffery, Aaron Shaw, Brett Budgell, Matthew Altomare, Mark Woolley, Nathan Allensen, Mason Millman, Mason Howard, Bryce Kilbourne and Cole Brady.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Player Evaluation: Paul O’Hagan