Michael Morelli grew up playing youth hockey in Colorado, Michigan and Nebraska, and has spent the last two seasons playing junior hockey for the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears.

Next season, the Arvada native will head back to the Upper Peninsula to begin his NCAA Division I college hockey career with Michigan Tech University (CCHA).

Morelli, who turns 21 on April 25, has appeared in 28 games so far this season and posted a 13-8-7 record with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage with two shutouts.

“I would like to thank everyone in the Black Bears organization for all of their help and support these past two years,” Morelli said. “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.”

During the 2020-21 season, Morelli was named to the East Division All-Rookie Team and the All-NAHL Rookie Second Team as he posted a 15-12-6 record in 34 games with a 2.66 GAA, a .923 save percentage and a pair of shutouts.

Morelli was also selected to and played in the 2021 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Blaine, Minn.

“We are more than ecstatic for a kid like Michael to attain his goal of earning a NCAA commitment,” Maryland head coach Clint Mylymok said. “’Mo’ has been an exemplary teammate, a 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.”

During his youth hockey career back home, Morelli played for the Arvada Hockey Association all the way to Bantams, then one year with the Colorado Evolution and two seasons with the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders.

Photo/NAHL

(April 20, 2022)