By Jamie Neugebauer
The North York Rangers have acquired forward Michael Morgan from the Stouffville Spirit in exchange for the rights to forward B.J. Salerno, the club announced Thursday.
Morgan, 19, has 25 goals and 51 points in 103 career Ontario Junior Hockey League games, all with the Spirit.
A native of Markham, Morgan is content to finally know where his immediate future lies.
“I am ecstatic [to be here],” he said.
“I am a University of Toronto student so I wanted to play a little closer to the city and that aside, it’s just a huge honour to play for the North York Rangers. I am thrilled.”
A veteran of two full junior seasons, Morgan is expected to bring speed, skill and leadership to the club.
He joins the team after a little bit of uncertainty following a reported move from the Spirit to another organization failed to materialize.
“I stayed on the ice and in shape,” he said.
“I work at a hockey school actually so I stayed on and sharp with some pros whose season hadn’t started yet. So my legs feel good, I feel like I am ready to go. There are obviously a few systems that I’ll need to learn, but I know I can catch on and get in the flow quickly.”
Salerno, 19, has spent the last two seasons with the United States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks since playing with the Rangers in his rookie campaign.