By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
After a one-season absence, the Boston Bruins will once again be represented on both sides of arguably college hockey’s fiercest and most historic rivalry. Just down Comm Ave from the six draft picks at Boston College, Jonathan Morello is the latest Bruin prospect to take the other side and become a Boston University Terrier.
Drafted in the fifth round (#154 overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, Morello is a smart, smooth-skating, two-way center. He knows how and when to make the right play, protects the puck well, and puts himself in the right position on both ends of the ice. Dobber Prospects lauded his defensive abilities, describing him as often acting as a third defenseman. BNG colleague Tom Calautti got to take an extended look at Morello during Bruins Development Camp and had glowing reviews for the new Terrier:
“I was high on Morello after last year’s Development Camp, and I’m even higher after this one. There was a major increase in talent among this season’s invites (Hagens, Moore, Zellers, etc.), and when the 5v5 scrimmage came around, Morello was one of the standouts.
He’s grown into his frame and is an excellent skater. He’s able to use his strength to win battles and hold onto pucks while also utilizing speed to win races and make defenders uncomfortable. I’m not sure where he’ll play in the lineup for a deep BU team, but he’s someone to keep an eye on as a sleeper prospect in this organization.”
Morello initially committed to Clarkson University in 2022 but flipped his commitment to BU in 2024. The Terriers came calling after Morello recorded 41-56-97 across 101 games over two seasons with the St. Michaels Buzzers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). Following his commitment to BU, Morello joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2024-25 season, skating alongside fellow Bruins draft picks Kristian Kostadinski and Cole Spicer, recording 8-20-28 in 59 games, with an additional 2-2-4 in seven playoff games.
Heading into his freshman year with BU, it’s hard to tell what Morello’s role will be to start the season. The Terriers are replacing a large chunk of their National Runner-Up team, with several key forwards, including Quinn Hutson, Shane LaChance, Ryan Greene, and Devin Kaplan, all signing professional contracts. BU offset some of those losses by landing two big transfers from North Dakota: Owen McLaughlin and Sacha Boisvert, who will likely join Cole Eiserman on the top line. However, beyond that trio, the rest of the forward group is still fluid with plenty of holes to fill.
Morello is one of seven freshman forwards coming to Agganis Arena who will need to battle for places in the lineup with a handful of other returners. Most of the newcomers, like Ryder Ritchie, are coming in with a higher draft pedigree than Morello and could get more ice time to start. The big difference makers for Morello are his Hockey IQ and responsible two-way game, which could go a long way toward establishing a role for himself, as BU Head Coach Jay Pandolfo figures out the balance of what’s going to be a very young Terriers lineup.
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