HUMBOLDT — Since joining the Humboldt Broncos in November, Alex Morozoff has prolifically piled up points.
The 20-year-old forward from Saskatoon has posted 21 points in 18 games for Humboldt. Morozoff’s 1.17 points per game average placed him tied for sixth with teammate Alec Saretzky in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He has lit the lamp 12 times in the SJHL this season. The 6-foot, 200-pounder scored twice in his debut and recorded a hat trick against Global Ag Risk Solutions Division rival Battlefords in December.
“Alex is a big body who can really shoot the puck,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. “He gets himself into the right areas to score goals. … Pretty powerful down the wing. He’s got a really quick release. He has got a knack for scoring. Obviously, he has done it his whole career.”
When Morozoff was asked what has allowed him to step into the Broncos’ lineup and produce, he said “being put in great opportunities and playing with great teammates.”
The Broncos’ former second overall pick in the 2016 SJHL Bantam Draft, Morozoff played six games with the Nanaimo Clippers in the Junior A B.C. Hockey League this season before coming to Humboldt. He spent most of the previous four seasons at the major junior level. Morozoff suited up for the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels, Seattle Thunderbirds and his hometown Saskatoon Blades.
“With his experience playing in the Western Hockey League, he has played against some high-end talent, which really transfers to our level,” Barney said.
The Humboldt head coach said that he thinks Morozoff is having fun with the Broncos and believes that has played a role in his success as well. When asked what he is enjoying most about playing for the Broncos, Morozoff said “how close our group is.”
He believes it is all the people he met along the way that he will remember most about his five-year junior hockey career. After this season, Morozoff would like to go to school.
Auction and Shootout
The Humboldt Broncos’ annual player and staff shootout auction will held on Jan. 28. The next night the shootout will take place. The fun annual event puts bragging rights on the line and is also an important fundraiser. Broncos goalie Rayce Ramsay participated in the event in 2018-19 before heading to the WHL and then returning to Humboldt this season.
“I think it gives us another opportunity to interact with the fans, which is always nice to do,” Ramsay said. “I’m looking forward to engaging with the community more and having them be a part of something that’s enjoyable for everyone.”
The Broncos last week
Tuesday, Jan. 18 in Melville
Humboldt 4, Melville 1
Broncos Scorers: Braiden Koran (2), Reilly McKinnon, Connor McGrath
Millionaires Scorer: Enrique Fontes
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 21 saves on 22 shots; William Dyke, Humboldt, 0 on 0; Jared Thompson, Melville, 26 on 30
Attendance: 300
Notes: McGrath gave Humboldt a 1-0 first period lead. Fontes tied things up at 1-1 early in the second. Eighteen seconds later Koran put the Broncos on top. He scored again, on a powerplay, less than three minutes later to give his team a 3-1 lead. McKinnon capped the scoring in the third.
Saturday, Jan. 22 in Yorkton
Humboldt 3, Yorkton 1
Broncos Scorers: Samuel Marburg, Rhett Gibson, Alex Morozoff
Terriers Scorer: Erik Boers
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 28 saves on 29 shots; Kael DePape, Yorkton, 12 on 12
Attendance: 384
Notes: Morozoff opened the game’s scoring in the second period. Yorkton tied things up at 1-1 early in the third. Marburg put Humboldt ahead and Gibson added an insurance marker.
Commitments Announced
Last week the Humboldt Broncos announced two more recruits who have signed up for next season.
Prince Albert’s Danton Cox is a 2005-born defenceman. He has recorded an assist in four games as a Broncos affiliated player this season. With his hometown U18 AAA Mintos, Cox has seven goals and 19 points in 31 games.
The squad also signed 2004-born forward Brandan Tronchin of Leduc, Alta. This season he has 25 points, including 13 goals, in 21 games for the Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep team.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (league-best 31-11-0-0) were to host the Notre Dame Hounds (15-16-2-1) on Tuesday, in a rescheduled contest from last Thursday. On Friday, the Yorkton Terriers (17-16-1-4) visit while the Weyburn Red Wings (10-25-0-3) come to town on Saturday.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League/Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase has been cancelled for 2022. It had been scheduled for Jan. 25-26
