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Winnipeg Jets’ select Joshua Morrissey in 2013 NHL Draft

In a move that came as a shock to many, the Winnipeg Jets went absurdly off the board by taking Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Joshua Morrissey.

Per our friend Corey Pronman at Hockey Prospectus, here is the scouting report on Morrissey:

"Morrissey is a dynamic offensive defenseman with a ton of plus skills. He has amassed a considerable number of points for a 1995 birthdate over his last two WHL seasons. His strongest tool is his skating, which is easily high end, if not better. He has a very graceful stride, and his footwork is precise in any direction. His top gear, agility, pivots, and gap control stand out in each game he plays. He is also a top-end puck mover, frequently making aware and accurate passes. He can run the point on a top power play unit, jump into the rush, make a good outlet, and flash a highlight reel play with the puck. His defensive awareness is solid, and he has killed penalties at times. Still, he faces a significant issue in his physicality. I would not describe him as soft, as he can make a quality hit at times, but he often is outmuscled for pucks. Coupling this aspect of his game with his undersized frame makes him a risk at the top level."Pronman, ISS and Craig Button had Morrissey ranked in the mid-teens to early twenties while Central Scouting ranked him the twenty-seventh best North American skater.

Our pals at Copper and Blue completed a comparables chart which lists Morrissey in good company:

Josh_morrissey

Regardless of how long this draft pick takes to become a regular NHLer remains to be seen, though virtually all of TSN's panel believe that Morrissey is several years away.

The Jets pick again in the second round, owning the forty-third and fifty-ninth picks in the draft.

Leave your thoughts on the draft pick below.

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