(Pictured above is Jonathan Morello)
By Warren Kozireski —
The coaching staff at Clarkson University, despite the departure of head coach Casey Jones to be the heir apparent in Cornell, is smiling today as two of their Class of 2025 recruits were selected at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft held in Las Vegas.
Center Jonathan Morello was taken by Boston in the fifth round (154th overall) and soon-to-be 18-year-old defenseman Matt Lahey was a seventh-round selection (200th overall) by Toronto.
Morello had 25 goals and 32 assists in 50 games last year with St. Michael’s in the OJHL and added 21 points in 11 playoff games. The 6’1”, 168 lb. center plans to play one season at Dubuque in the USHL before heading to the North Country.
“I knew Boston was definitely a team that was looking at me,” Morello said. “I’m grateful that Boston made the choice on me, and I’m really excited to get started.
“The coaching change was a bit of a shock, but I know the coach coming in is definitely really excited and came from the AHL as well and getting that experience is something that I’m looking forward too.
“I’m a two-way centerman mixed with a bit of a power forward. I use speed a lot in my game—speed is probably the biggest attribute in my game—and that’s something that I use whether I’m carrying the puck…or I’m on the back-check.”
Lahey, the top-rated defenseman in the draft from the BCHL, stands 6’5”, 2023 lbs. and played last season with Nanaimo Clippers where the physical defenseman recorded 19 points in 54 games as more of a disruptor on the blueline.
(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)
