Make The Most Of It

If it were up to Brendan McMorrow, the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament would be a national holiday.

The Lakeville product grew up attending the event religiously, and it’s where he initially found his love for hockey, as his family attended countless games at Xcel Energy Center and booked a number of hotel rooms in St. Paul.

It’s also what made leaving his home state so difficult, as McMorrow dreamed of one day playing in the event himself.

However, he was invited to join the U.S. National Team Development Program and left for Plymouth, Mich. ahead of the 2022-23 season. It was a move that felt right at the time and is benefiting him today.

“When I left, I had that realization that I’d never be able to play in the state tournament, and that stung, but you also have to do what’s best for yourself,” McMorrow said. “It’s hard to feel bad for yourself when you get the chance to play at (the NTDP) though, and now I’ve got a great opportunity here in Waterloo, so it’s all worked itself out.”

Brendan McMorrow spent two seasons at the NTDP before joining Waterloo this season. “Even with the role I had up there, I would go back in a heartbeat, and it helped me so much,” McMorrow said. “You get to play with and against the best players in your age group every single day, and everybody wants to help you and see you succeed. So I think in the long run my time there will help me in a lot of ways.” (Photo courtesy of USA Hockey / Rena Laverty)

While it’s been a winding road over the past three seasons, the Denver commit is flourishing this winter in northeast Iowa – where he currently plays for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks.

Sticking with junior hockey
McMorrow spent the past two seasons at the NTDP and skated in 61 games last winter, but he was buried at the bottom of the lineup and struggled to contribute offensively. Still just 18 years old, McMorrow opted to return for another year of junior hockey.

He was drafted by Waterloo in the first round (8th overall) of the USHL Phase II Draft last May and has made the most of his opportunity so far.

“I mainly wanted to come back to the USHL to get those top minutes and be a difference-maker for a team, and I’ve been able to get that here,” McMorrow said. “Being able to impact the game every single shift and play a top-six role is definitely motivating and exciting as a player, and I’m really thankful the coaches and everyone here has had that trust in me.”

McMorrow has shown his impact as he’s scored 11 times through 27 games, and his 20 points are tied for third on Waterloo’s roster. He’s centering Waterloo’s top line, along with seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill. McMorrow is tied for third in the USHL with six power-play tallies.

Brendan McMorrow first started skating around age 3 and was “born into the sport.” His father, John, played hockey and Brendan spent countless hours on their backyard rink as a kid. He loved watching Zach Parise with the Minnesota Wild and currently tries to model his game after Brandon Hagel. (Photo courtesy of Waterloo Black Hawks / Stephanie Lyn Photography)

Waterloo suits him well
Waterloo’s Olympic-sized sheet has certainly aided his skating and play-making ability too, and McMorrow said the game has slowed down in his third USHL season – allowing him to play fast, see the ice and create more offense.

“Playing in Waterloo has been a lot different from where I was at, but it’s been such a good opportunity and the overall atmosphere here is great,” McMorrow said. “I’ve played a lot more, and the people here have been so good to me, so I can’t say enough good things about Waterloo so far.”

The people who work with him every day can’t say enough good things about McMorrow either.

“I think the growth he’s shown even from the start of the season until now has been outstanding and he’s playing with a lot of confidence on the offensive side of the game, and that’s great to see,” said Waterloo General Manager Bryn Chyzyk. “He came in here ready to work from day one, and he’s such a good kid, and I think you’re seeing that extra year of juniors is really benefiting him so far.”

Added Waterloo coach Matt Smaby: “I think if you watch his body of work through the first half of the season, he’s just got such a motor, and he’s so impressive on both sides of the puck. He’s been a driver and set the tone offensively, but he’s been a very reliable defensive player, too, and he can win faceoffs. So, I think he’s been extremely well-rounded for us, and he gets better every night.”

Brendan McMorrow spent the 2021-22 season with Benilde-St. Margaret’s and put up 32 points (9-23-32) over 28 games. “Playing at Benilde was very special and that was a really, really fun year of hockey,” he said. “You see your family, classmates and the band in the crowd, and it’s really your first taste of when hockey gets serious. So, I’m definitely glad I got to experience that.” (Submitted photo)

The Black Hawks were interested in McMorrow before he initially joined the NTDP, and Chyzyk watched him several times at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, saying it was a “no-brainer” when the opportunity once again presented itself last May.

Chyzyk added McMorrow “exemplified a lot of the qualities” Waterloo’s staff looks for in a player, and both he and Smaby believe McMorrow has a real chance to get drafted next summer – especially if he continues playing how he has.

“He’s someone we’ve had our eyes on for a while, and we really believed he could play a big role and big minutes for us, because he’s always working, and he plays the game the right way,” Smaby said. “He’s shown a tremendous ability to pick up the team game and the systems we’re running here, and his work ethic is always at such a high level. And he came in with a great mindset and wanted to be a big part of our team.

“When you’re looking down the bench and trying to find guys that you can depend on and know are gonna do things right, you never have to worry about that with Brendan. So, when you combine how he competes with the fact he’s a very skilled player, you get a dynamic player that can change a game, and he’s been exactly that.”

Now McMorrow wants to continue being that dynamic player and help the Black Hawks make a deep run this spring.

“You don’t want to say you doubt yourself, but honestly, it had been a while since I’d been on the scoresheet a lot and a go-to guy. So, I didn’t really know what to expect coming into this season,” McMorrow said. “But I think getting those first couple goals was huge and helped regain some of that confidence, and then you’re able to hold onto the puck a little more and have the confidence to make more plays.

“I don’t value my game in goals and assists, and I just want to make plays consistently and help my team win, and we’ve got a good group here that can do that. We want to win a Clark Cup, and I haven’t been let down here in any way so far.”