By Warren Kozireski —
The Hockey News latest Prospects Unlimited edition lists New York Rangers 2017 draft pick Morgan Barron with a red dot, indicating a “sleeper”. He did not have a dot next to his name in the 2017 edition. That’s what happens when you are the first freshman in Cornell hockey history to have at least one point in each of his first seven collegiate games.
Add that he netted 18 points overall in 33 games as a true freshman and that he stands 6’3”, 214 lb. and that he has scored a team-leading five goals over the first eight games this season and the Rangers may have found a late round gem.
“He can shoot the puck really well, he’s playing well and playing a ton of minutes,” Cornell head coach Mike Schafer said in mid-November. “He’s killing penalties, power play, played center, left wing; he’s all over the place and did a good job.”
Barron played for Halifax and Newbridge for two seasons each in his native Nova Scotia before heading west to suit up for St. Andrews College Prep in Aurora, Ontario north of Toronto.
He was among the top point producers there before heading to Ithaca, NY last fall as an 18-year old—he turns 20 Dec. 2.
In addition to goals, he was leading all Big Red players in shots on goal averaging almost five per game.
“I think probably inherently I’ve been around the net a little bit more and had the puck on my stick more than last year so I’ve been just trying to take my chances as I see them and trying to bury them,” Barron said after a Nov. 16 game.
Barron got off to a hot start last season, but then struggled to get his name on the scoresheet as the season wore on. But it’s all part of the normal learning curve.
“(I had a) pretty similar summer to be honest with you,” Barron said about this past summer. “I was just trying to skate as much as possible and in my backyard shooting pucks a little bit more, so maybe that’s why they’re going in, I’m not too sure.
“Last year I fell off a bit…but I think that’s a natural part of the progression for a freshman. Some of those games (last season) I thought I played good hockey and I just wasn’t burying my chances around the net, so that’s something I’m going to keep in the back of my mind this year.
Younger brother Justin chose to go the Canadian junior hockey route and the Halifax Mooseheads defenseman is already being projected as a potential first round NHL draft pick when he is eligible in June 2020.
Cornell plays against Harvard at Madison Square Garden in New York City Dec. 1, the same site that Barron showed off in front of the Rangers brass with a pair of primary assists in just his tenth collegiate contest last November against Boston University.
“I think all the guys are really excited for that game; it’s such a fun game and especially with Harvard, but I’m just focusing on our next game right now.”
