Jacob Daniel Morgan is leading a new-look Warriors Hockey Club, driven for the same results he and a few teammates have enjoyed the past two seasons.

 

Morgan captured the 2024 Illinois High School Hockey State Championship while playing for the co-op Waubonsie Warriors, but after celebrating the title win at the United Center, the club merged with Wheaton West.

 

This past March, Morgan and the Warriors Hockey Club needed overtime, but defeated BG/H/W, 3-2, to win the Combined Division State Championship at the United Center.

 

Morgan just continues to celebrate.

 

“Winning state my junior year (has been) my biggest career highlight because I appreciated being able to support my team as an alternate captain in such a big moment. I also had family and friends there to support me, which made the experience even better,” said Morgan, who recalls a shot of his hitting the crossbar at the United Center in overtime. “While it was disappointing to not secure the victory for my team, it was really cool being that close to such a big moment, and winning in the end made the disappointment fade quickly.”

 

Morgan and his teammates ventured west for the 2025 Chipotle USA Hockey National Championships, played in Irvine, Calif. The Warriors finished second, losing 6-2 to the Rushmore Thunder in the championship game.

 

The semifinal win last March over the San Diego Central Cathedral Jets is a lasting memory.

 

“We were down with (less than) a minute (remaining in regulation time) and our season once again on the line,” Morgan said.

 

Joe Pijanowski scored unassisted with :27 remaining in the third.

 

“We ended up staying tied after a period of overtime, eventually winning in a shootout,” Morgan said. “This was the most memorable (game) because our team had come so far and showed so much perseverance, which made me proud to be on the team and fight with that group of guys.”

 

Morgan and his mates want more celebrations this season, which has started with a 3-3 record so far in IHSHL West play. The Warriors most recently defeated the D230 Saints 7-0 on Sept. 28.

 

“We are a younger and less experienced team. We lost a few of our longtime players who had been with the team through a lot of important moments,” Morgan said. “As someone who can speak for the other veterans, it is very important that we help the new guys acclimate to our systems and culture in order to build chemistry this season. I believe that our team has just as much to prove this year as we did last year and we need to build a new identity as a team.

 

“As a captain, I lead by example, keep players accountable and being a positive voice in the locker room. I believe that the most important thing for a team isn’t always skill, it’s how much camaraderie we have. The reason we have found success is being able to get along off the ice and bond over our will to win and love for the game. I am happy to be surrounded by a good group of captains who share my goal of keeping players accountable and fostering a supportive environment for our players.”

 

Especially since the Warriors are a mix of players from Metea, Waubonsie, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South High Schools.

 

“As a senior, I hope (to) set an example for younger guys to follow. I try to work the hardest on and off the ice, which I hope they recognize and is something that inspires them to do the same,” Morgan said. “I describe myself as a two-way player. I am solid offensively and help set up the forwards to make plays, but I am definitely strongest defensively and like to help out in our own zone.

 

“My parents are absolutely the biggest influences in my career. They pushed me to work hard and always try to become a better player; however, they were never too hard on me and they always made sure I was playing to have fun. This helped me to be more confident in my play and kept me from being too hard on myself, which has influenced me the most.”

 

Morgan, 18, who lives in Aurora, is a senior at Metea Valley High School. The right-handed shooting defenseman in uniform No. 5 formerly played for the Sabres and Chicago Fury. He was a 2025 all-conference and all-state honoree. Plus, he was the 2025 Warriors Hockey Club Defensive Player of the Year.

 

“Being selected to the AHAI All-State Team as a junior was a proud personal highlight because it was really cool to be recognized individually by many of the high school coaches,” Morgan said. “It was particularly cool to go (to the All-State Game) with my teammate, Joe Pijanowski, because we got to share the experience together, represent our team and play with the other best players in the state.”

 

Morgan and Pijanowski, plus Josh Pijanowski and Finn O’Toole, are four-year varsity players.

 

“The opportunity to play and grow with these guys has been a great experience and has allowed us to understand each other’s playing styles,” he said. “Being able to play on the team at such a young age helps me to understand the younger players and what they are experiencing. I think this helps me as a captain because I try to help them be as comfortable in a new experience as possible.”

 

Ultimately, he wants a third straight Warriors state championship.

 

“My memories from the high school championship are all about the amazing experience spending the day preparing for the game, practicing in the morning, having lunch as a team, riding to the United Center together, getting full access to the building, dressing in the (professional’s) locker rooms, warming up in front of my family and friends, playing on the same ice as my idols, the euphoric moment of winning which proved that all my hard work had paid off, and specifically last year being able to present the state trophy to my team with the other captains. While the experience was sort of a blur, playing at the United Center is definitely the coolest thing I have ever done in my career,” Morgan said.

 

“Flying to California (this past spring) and playing against the other best high school teams was amazing. The coolest thing about it was the fact that we played from behind in every game and found a way to claw back into each game. The perseverance we showed in each game was unbelievable and really showed the heart and determination our team had.”

 

 

 

Slapshots With … Warriors captain Jacob Morgan

Role Model: “Someone I wanted to mold myself into was my alternate captain freshman year, Evan Ziegler. As the top-scoring forward in the league, someone who (had) already won a state championship and eventually someone who was recognized as the best high school player in the state … I always looked to him as an example I hoped to follow. I particularly hope to model the leadership he showed my sophomore year because he really rallied the team and was a very big reason we ended winning state after a disappointing loss in our league finals.”

Off-ice Influences: “I go to a sports performance facility called Acceleration and have been going since I was 10 years-old. This place is a big reason for my continual improvement and performance on the ice; they played a big role in helping me develop into the player I am today.”

Long-Term Goals: “I plan to continue hockey and play on the club team at whatever college I choose. I just want to keep playing the game I love because I know I will regret giving it up too soon. I hope to use the lessons the game has taught me for the rest of my life.”

Hobbies: “Hockey and school take up a lot of my time, but other than that I like to golf, play baseball with my friends and pickleball.”

High School Coaches: “I want to thank all of the coaches who have helped me through these four years of high school hockey. First, our defensive coach, Dennis Lee, who has always treated me with respect as a player and sort of gave me the reins once I got on the team. The amount of trust he had in me and the coaching he has provided me has helped me navigate high school hockey. Jeremy Dombro was my first high school head coach and he always prioritized his players and even though he had a decorated trophy case, he just wanted us to get a taste of success while we played for him. I remember he got me to play by promising me a state championship and fans at the games to cheer me on; he delivered on both. My second head coach in high school hockey, Keith Fahrforth … since the moment I met Keith I knew he cared about nothing more than the players on his team. He treats us like sons and truly wants nothing but the best for us. I also believe he is the biggest reason that the merger between Wheaton West and (Waubonsie) Warriors team was a success, making it possible for the two clubs to blend because of his inviting nature and determination. His support was a big part of me becoming a captain on the team and earning a spot on the all-state team. I would like to thank my coaches for helping me develop and grow as a player and a person.”

Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks

Favorite NHL Player: Kale Makar

Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle on Ice

Favorite TV Show: Friends

Motivational Song: Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolf

Favorite Pre-game Meal: Burrito from Chipotle

Favorite App: Snapchat

Favorite High School Uniform (other than the Warriors): Maine’s all-red uniform