Georgii Merkulov Explained

Georgii Merkulov
Birth Date:10 October 2000
Birth Place:Ryazan, Russia
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:181
Position:Forward
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Boston Bruins
Prospect League:AHL
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2019

Georgii Merkulov (born October 10, 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played college ice hockey for Ohio State University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Playing career

Collegiate

Merkulov committed to play college ice hockey for the Ohio State University during the 2021–22 season. In his freshman year, he led all NCAA freshmen with 20 goals, and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team.[1]

Professional

Boston Bruins

On 9 April 2022, Merkulov concluded his collegiate career after he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, where he would play for the remainder of the season.[2] [3]

On 12 April 2023, after his first full professional season with the Providence Bruins, Merkulov was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He was second among AHL rookies in points with 55, which also led the Bruins, as well as leading the Bruins with 23 goals.[4]

Once again impressing in Providence during the 2023–24 season, Merkulov earned a call-up to the NHL club on 29 December 2023.[5] He would make his NHL debut the next day against the New Jersey Devils. Merkulov played four games with the team before being sent back to Providence on 5 January 2024. He did not record a point in his first stint.[6] On 10 January 2024, Merkulov was named as Providence's representation in the 2024 AHL All Star Classic.[7] Merkulov had yet another successful season in the AHL, as he led the P-Bruins with goals and points, with 30 and 65, respectively. He was also second on the team in assists. His 30 goals were tied for sixth in the AHL, and his 65 points had him tied for fifth in the league. Although Merkulov would score three assists in four games in the team's first round matchup in the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs against the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Bruins would fall to the Wolf Pack in four games for the second straight year.

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2017–18Kapitan StupinoMHL34 4 9 13 18
2018–19Kapitan StupinoMHL64 22 24 46 18
2019–20Kapitan StupinoMHL10 1 1 2 6
2019–20HC TambovVHL6 0 0 0 0
2019–20Youngstown PhantomsUSHL36 6 27 33 4
2020–21Youngstown PhantomsUSHL38 14 26 40 14
2021–22Ohio State UniversityB1G36 20 14 34 10
2021–22Providence BruinsAHL8 1 4 5 81 0 0 0 0
2022–23Providence BruinsAHL67 24 31 55 264 0 1 1 0
2023–24Providence BruinsAHL67 30 35 65 204 0 3 3 2
2023–24Boston BruinsNHL4 0 0 0 0
NHL totals4 0 0 0 0

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-Big Ten First Team2022
All-Big Ten Freshman Team2022
AHL
AHL All-Rookie Team2023
Atlantic Division All Star Team2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Merkulov leaves Ohio State after productive freshman year, signs NHL contract with Bruins . 11 April 2022 . 11 April 2022 . USCHO.com .
  2. Web site: Hartwell . Darren . 9 April 2022 . Bruins sign Ohio State standout Georgii Merkulov to three-year deal . 9 April 2022 . NBC Sports Boston . NBC Sports.
  3. Web site: 9 April 2022 . Boston Bruins sign Georgii Merkulov to three-year, entry-level contract . 9 April 2022 . NHL.com . Boston Bruins.
  4. Web site: Bussi, Merkulov named to AHL All-Rookie Team . . 12 April 2023 . 12 April 2023.
  5. Web site: Goss . Nick . 2023-12-29 . Bruins call up exciting prospect Georgii Merkulov for NHL debut . 2024-04-06 . NBC Sports Boston . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2024-01-06 . Bruins' Georgi Merkulov: Sent down Friday . 2024-04-06 . CBSSports.com . en.
  7. Web site: Bruins . Providence . Georgii Merkulov Selected to 2024 AHL All-Star Classic . 2024-03-01 . www.providencebruins.com . en.