Conor adds that if he had to choose, his dream would be to play for one of his grandfather’s team, the Maple Leafs.

“I just think the hockey market in Toronto is awesome,” he says.

If Morrison is to realize that dream, he will need to impress his dad, who’s currently the Maple Leafs’ director of amateur scouting.

“When I’m scouting, it’s not just the players and how they play on the ice, but it’s also their character, their commitment to becoming the best they can be, and the passion and the drive they have as individuals,” Dave says.

That shouldn’t be much of an issue for Conor, who garners effusive praise from his peers for his disposition.

“He’s a great guy off the ice,” freshman forward Alex Fallstrom says. “A really open guy, very easy to talk to.”

“Personality wise, he’s pretty down to earth,” Pascarella adds. “He’s a really funny, really nice guy.”

Whether or not his playing career works out, Conor can easily foresee himself as part of the game he loves for the rest of his life.

“I think hockey is in my blood,” he says. “I just love being around the game, love being around the rink. After my career is over I hope I’ll be able to step into some sort of management job, maybe in the NHL or in Europe somewhere, but I’d definitely like to stay with the game.”

For now, though, his dad isn’t worried about the long term. He sees his son’s talent and his work ethic and knows with that combination, Conor will be able to do whatever he wants in life.

“He’s got a passion for the game, and I think he’s got a lot to prove, and he wants to continue trying to prove it,” Dave says. “He keeps getting better, and we’ll see how far it takes him.”