NEWS

Wellington Dukes rookie defenceman Brody Morris (photo credit - Amy Deroche/OJHL Images) has officially signed with the Belleville Bulls and will join the club beginning with the 2013-14 Ontario Hockey League season.

The native of Corbyville, Ontario joined the Dukes this past season out of the Quinte Red Devils Midget 'AAA' program after being selected by the Belleville Bulls in the 9th round, 172nd overall, of the OHL Priority Selection.  The 6'2", 180 lbs. rearguard was a pillar on defence for his club all season, recording 12 points in 47 regular season games played to finish third among defencemen in scoring.  His played earned Morris a spot on the OJHL Prospects Team, notching a goal in front of his hometown fans, as they downed the CCHL Prospects 4-3 in a shootout at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge.  Following the season, Morris was the leading vote-getter among Dukes players in OJHL Fan Favourite balloting.

Congratulations to Brody and best of luck in his OHL career!

Below is the official press release from the Belleville Bulls website (www.bellevillebull.com):

Belleville Bulls Head Coach & General Manager George Burnett announced Sunday that the club has signed defencemen Brody Morris and Justin Bean to OHL Standard Players Agreements coming out of Training Camp.

The Bulls build to their defensive group by signing a pair of rearguards coming off great seasons with their respective junior clubs.

A hometown boy, Brody Morris hails from nearby Corbyville and attends St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School in Belleville, a facility located just east of the Yardmen Arena. Morris spent last season with the Wellington Dukes Jr. A club and was the Bulls' ninth round pick in 2012 out of the Quinte Red Devils program.

The 6 foot 1, 187Ibs. Morris had 2 goals and 10 assists in 47 games with Wellington to go with 53 penalty minutes. Bulls Assistant General Manager Barclay Branch is thrilled about the addition. "Brody has the reputation of being a tough customer to deal with in his own zone. He plays with the edge we like to see out of a defensively responsible guy and he's a real competitor."

The Bulls also agreed to terms with last year's Central Ontario Jr. C Rookie of the Year Justin Bean, who despite being a 1996 born player, was selected by the Bulls in the ninth round this past spring. Bean comes from the Uxbridge Bruins Jr. C program after a standout season where he had 8 goals and 24 assists in 40 games from the backend. The smooth skating Pickering native stands 6 foot 1, 176Ibs and features a range of quality aspects to his game. "Justin's development path has been different than a lot of other players his age," said Branch. "We saw him playing in Uxbridge this season where he accomplished a lot of great things. He is intelligent, a strong skater and can move the puck well. We're excited to see Justin's progression here in a Bulls uniform."

Branch was generally pleased with the opportunity to sign a pair of ninth round picks out of Training Camp. "It's a proud day for our scouting staff," he said. "Finding two quality players in the ninth round of the OHL Priority Selection is always a boost for a team."