HW 2011 Prospects: Joe Morrow

Hockey Wilderness has decided to rank their 30 favorite prospects in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and will analyze each and every one of them. So on draft day, you'll have a good sense of who's who.

With each post, you will get to understand what type of player he is, and how he can help the Wild. You'll understand his strengths, flaws and get to understand what type of player he'll develop into.

The HW's Rank - The average rank of several of our favorite available rankings, weighted appropriately.

Summary Scout Notes - A broken down version of comments offered by each service. To read the whole explanations, click on the source site and search.

Now, introducing Portland Winterhawks defenseman Joe Morrow:

Joe Morrow

#7 / Defense / Portland Winterhawks

Height: 6-0

Weight: 197

Born: Nov 12 1992

Don't forget to check out the Hockey Wilderness 2011 Draft Page as well. Just click on the picture.

History And Accomplishments

2011 WHL Selection Draft - 28th Overall, 2nd Round

HW's Take:

If there was one prospect that could really be drafted earlier than expected, it would be Joe Morrow.

He's got a good frame, a solid-all round defenseman and also has very good puck moving skills. In addition, he's got a great shot and skates very well. He just seems to have a great well-rounded package that teams would love to get.

The only things he would need to work on is getting his shot off quicker and rounding off his game in his own zone, but none of these things would be considered major flaws to his game.

Now, he just has to continue developing all aspects of his game if he wants to become a top pairing defenseman in the NHL

HW's Projection

Puck-moving defenseman

Summary Scouts Notes

For full explanations, click on the links:

B2011DW

One of the better puck movers in this draft ... a pretty strong all-around package ... a smooth skater with a long, fluid stride ... has a big booming shot ... sees the ice well and has a real steady touch with the puck ... is a very good passer ... loves to rush the puck ... got an edge to him as well ... needs to work on the mechanics of his shot

OurSportsCentral

A two-way, puck-moving defenseman ... has his tremendous skating ... boasts terrific speed and agility ... an offensively gifted rearguard ... very good passing skills and shooting ability ... possesses a heavy and deceptive shot ... good hockey sense and vision ... effective anchor on the power play ... a solid player in the defensive zone

The Scouting Report

an effective puck moving defenseman ... very good skater who makes a solid first pass out of his own zone ... makes a nice first pass out of his own zone ... also has a deceptive shot that he ably gets through traffic and on net ... will need to continue to improve in his own end

Video Evidence

Where Does He Fit With The Wild?

The Wild would love to get a puck-moving defenseman in their system. Marco Scandella and Clayton Stoner are primarily defensive d-men and Jared Spurgeon is missing the size that Morrow has.

He'll fit in

Good Choice At #10?

Now, I know I said he might get picked earlier than expected, but I don't think as early as #10.

I would prefer to find the Wild give their jersey to a forward on draft day.

How Does He Look As A Wild?

Comment away!

Special thanks to Brock Otten, Kirk Luedek, Scott Campbell, and Dan Shrader