Maryland goalie Morelli makes NCAA DI commitment
Michael Morelli, seen here at the 2021 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, played in the NAPHL for four years prior to playing for Maryland in the NAHL.
The Maryland Black Bears of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that goaltender and NAPHL grad Michael Morelli has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Michigan Tech University in the CCHA.
Morelli, 20, in currently in his second and final season playing junior hockey in the NAHL. The 6’0/164 lbs. native of Arvada, CO, has appeared in 27 games so far this season and posted a 12-8-7 record with a 3.15 goals against average and a .893 save percentage.
“I would like to thank everyone in the Black Bears organization for all of their help and support these past two years. The Black Bears have truly been a first-class organization from the start. From the coaches, staff, president, owner and my teammates I would like to say that I’m very grateful to have been able to surround myself with such amazing people. Also, thank you to my family, billet family, and to anyone else who has helped me along the way. I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to play for such a great program, and I can’t wait to be a Michigan Tech Husky!” said Morelli.
During the 2020-21 season, Morelli was named to the East Division All-Rookie Team and the All-NAHL Rookie 2nd Team as he posted a 15-12-6 record in 34 games played with a 2.66 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
Morelli was also selected to and played in the 2021 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Blaine, MN.
“We are more than ecstatic for a kid like Michael to attain his goal of earning a NCAA commitment. Mo has been an exemplary teammate; consummate professional; and is a highly respected player, on and off the ice. Michigan Tech is getting a wonderful kid, and a very talented goaltender. We couldn’t be happier for Mo, and look forward to seeing him take the next step in his hockey journey,” said Maryland head coach Clint Mylymok.
Prior to his time in the NAHL, Morelli spent four seasons playing in the NAPHL from 2016-20. He spent the 2019-20 and 2017-18 seasons playing for the Meijer AAA (Now Biggby Coffee AAA) organization. During the 2018-19 season, he played for the Omaha AAA 18U team and during the 2016-17 season, he played for the Rocky Mountain Roughriders 15U team.
Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list
