NHL DRAFT INTERVIEW:
DEVILS ROOKIE PROSPECT INTERVIEW:
QUOTES:
On beating Russia in the U-18 Gold Medal Game: “I thought it was going to be 2-1 or something like that. But, after we got up in that first period, we just wanted to make sure we kept going and didn't let up because that's what happened in that pool-play game. The penalties in that game were outrageous, like 13-2, and they had a penalty shot. One of our kids got hit at the end of that game, so we all just jumped out. ... It's funny, that was our very first tournament, and now we've ended our last year at worlds actually beating them in the finals.”
Merrill on Himself: “I’m a simple, steady, stay-at-home defenseman. I want to play mistake-free, never-get-beat hockey”
Comparing Basketball and Hockey: “Basketball and hockey are similar sports—they are thinking games. You have to use your mind a lot. Sports such as football and baseball, there is not as much thinking [on the field]. You have to be able to read and react in basketball and hockey. (Michael) Jordan could see the court really well. That is what I try to do in hockey—see the ice very well.”
ANALYSIS:
Ron Rolston, Under-18 Head Coach: “Jon has been really steady and has been one of our most reliable defenders. He has been terrific for us. He is strong positionally and makes good decisions with the puck and jumps up with the play. He is tough to play against and has a good defensive stick and good body positioning.”
John Hynes, Under-17 Head Coach: “His biggest quality is the fact that he is a smart hockey player. He can play both offense and defense, and he really understands the game. He is having a good season, adjusting to playing against older players and players who are stronger than him, because he is so smart. He has good athletic ability to go along with that quality.”
WCHBlog: “He’s 6’3”, but skates like he’s 5’9”. Very smooth with the puck. Excellent in the defensive zone. Does a great job of picking up his man in the defensive zone…. Merrill is the most likely to go in the top 10 of the (NHL) draft. I haven't seen him play in a while, but he certainly has all the tools to be a big time player.”
The Scouting News: “He is the real deal.”
USHL Blog: “Merrill will definitely be a player you'll want to keep an eye on in the next few years and while at Michigan.”
STATS:
| YEAR | TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
| 09/10 | USNTDP | 10 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -3 | 4 |
| 08/09 | USNTDP | 26 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +10 | 14 |
| 07/08 | Little Caesars | 25 | 9 | 30 | 39 | - | 26 |
| 06/07 | Little Caesars | 25 | 3 | 14 | 17 | - | 30 |
| 05/06 | Little Caesars | 25 | 3 | 30 | 33 | - | 24 |
| 04/05 | Little Caesars | 26 | 2 | 18 | 20 | - | 30 |
To view more profiles of Future Wolverines, visit Recruiting Central
Links for this profile: Ann Arbor News,Point Streak-Little Caesars, Point Streak–USA, Western College Hockey,The Scouting News USHL Blog USA Hockey The Hockey News