For a team that had a lot to forget last season, the Prince Albert Raiders are hoping their opponents won’t soon forget defenseman Josh Morrissey.

Finishing dead last in the WHL, there are few promising aspects for the Raiders heading into this year’s campaign. Cue Morrissey who, after tallying 10 goals and 38 points in 68 games last year, is ready to take charge and show why he will be one of the top defenseman available in the 2013 NHL Draft.

He’s already building quite the fan base.

“(He’s) my favourite prospect out of the WHL this year,” Future Considerations Western Hockey League scout Zenon Herasymiuk said, “Morrissey is a smooth skating, offensive defenseman that can work the power play and has the athleticism and smarts to be effective defensively. Morrissey will be the head of the raiders back end this year and will have every opportunity to shine in many roles.”

Considering the abundance of talent the WHL will supply the 2013 draft, Morrissey is clearly turning heads with his overall strong play.

“He is quite strong for his size and he can make amazing passes on the breakout and with the man advantage,” Herasymiuk said.

Morrissey earned an invite to the U18 Canadian Summer Selection Camp this past August where he was an easy choice to represent Canada at the annual Ivan Hlinka Memorial.

The Hlinka is just the start for Morrissey. In fact, the sky is the limit for the six-foot, 175-pound defenseman, the centre of attention on a team that does not get a lot of consideration.