Jon Merrill Explained

Jon Merrill
Birth Date:3 February 1992
Birth Place:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:205
Position:Defense
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Minnesota Wild
Former Teams:New Jersey Devils
Vegas Golden Knights
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Ntl Team:USA
Draft:38th overall
Draft Year:2010
Draft Team:New Jersey Devils
Career Start:2013

Jonathon Merrill (born February 3, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens. The Devils selected Merrill in the second round, 38th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Merrill was born February 3, 1992, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[1] His family moved to Grand Blanc, Michigan, three years later, and Merrill began playing ice hockey with his older brother at the age of four.[2] He went on to play minor ice hockey with the Detroit Little Caesars youth team,[3] appearing with the team at the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.[4] A childhood fan of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Detroit Red Wings, Merrill was selected as one of the team's flag bearers during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs.[5] In high school, Merrill spent two years with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), based not far from his home in Brighton, Michigan.[6] During the 2009–10 season, Merrill had one goal and eight assists in 22 games for the NTDP.[7] During his time at the NTDP, he and three other players, including Matt Nieto, were suspended for sexual harassment and lewd behaviour.

Playing career

College

Prior to turning professional, Merrill played NCAA college hockey with the Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team. Merrill was suspended for the first 12 games of the 2011–12 season by the University of Michigan for "violating team rules."[8] [9]

Professional

New Jersey Devils (2013–2017)

On March 27, 2013, the New Jersey Devils signed Merrill to a three-year entry-level contract, and he began the 2013–14 season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Albany Devils.[10]

In the 2013–14 season, Merrill made his NHL debut on November 3, 2013, skating with the Devils in a game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center, but less than five minutes into he game he fell into the boards, sustaining severe facial lacerations and a concussion.[11] [12]

He scored his first NHL goal on February 7, 2014, a game winner in overtime against Ilya Bryzgalov of the Edmonton Oilers,[13] making him the first Devil to score his first NHL goal in overtime.

Vegas Golden Knights (2017–2020)

On June 21, 2017, Merrill was selected in the NHL Expansion Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.[14] On January 16, 2018, Merrill signed a two-year, $2.75 million contract extension with the Golden Knights.[15]

Detroit Red Wings (2020–2021)

After three seasons as an original member of the Golden Knights, Merrill left the club as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings on October 9, 2020.[16] In the shortened 2020–21 season, Merrill registered five assists in 36 games from the blueline for the Red Wings before he was dealt at the trade deadline to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Hayden Verbeek and a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft on April 11, 2021.[17]

Montreal Canadiens (2021)

Merrill made 13 further regular season appearances with the Canadiens, going scoreless, before featuring in 13 playoff games in helping Montreal reach the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals before falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning.[18]

Minnesota Wild (2021–present)

As a free agent from the Canadiens, Merrill joined his fifth NHL organization in agreeing to terms with the Minnesota Wild on a one-year, $850,000 contract on July 29, 2021.[19]

On January 11 2022, Merrill was signed to a three-year, $3.6 million extension with the Wild.[20]

International play

Merrill first represented the United States internationally at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded two assists in seven games en route to a gold medal victory over Sweden.[21] He won another gold medal the next year at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording one assist in seven games and being named one of the top three Team USA players in the tournament.[22]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2008–09U.S. NTDP U17USDP2421318
2008–09U.S. NTDP U18USDP191456
2008–09U.S. NTDP U18NAHL2622414
2009–10U.S. NTDP JuniorsUSHL2218912
2009–10U.S. NTDP U17USDP20112
2009–10U.S. NTDP U18USDP565273218
2010–11University of MichiganCCHA427182516
2011–12University of MichiganCCHA19291115
2012–13University of MichiganCCHA21291114
2012–13Albany DevilsAHL121784
2013–14Albany DevilsAHL1528100411210
2013–14New Jersey DevilsNHL52291112
2014–15New Jersey DevilsNHL662121424
2015–16New Jersey DevilsNHL4714528
2016–17New Jersey DevilsNHL5115624
2017–18Vegas Golden KnightsNHL3412322800010
2018–19Vegas Golden KnightsNHL57312155370000
2019–20Vegas Golden KnightsNHL492573210110
2020–21Detroit Red WingsNHL3605512
2020–21Montreal CanadiensNHL130004130000
2021–22Minnesota WildNHL69416202260110
2022–23Minnesota WildNHL73210123820002
2023–24Minnesota WildNHL65471130
NHL totals 61222871093013702212

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2009United StatesU1870224
2010United StatesU1870112
2011United StatesWJC61450
2012United StatesWJC7th60446
2022United StatesWC4th1 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 25 1 11 12 12
Senior totals 10 0 0 0

Personal Life

Jon is married to Jessica Merrill. Together, they are advocates for the LGBTQ community. [23]

Awards and honors

Jon and Jessica were named "2024 Allies of the Year" for Twin Cities Pride.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jon Merrill Stats and News . . September 27, 2023.
  2. News: Feldman . Dan . Incoming Michigan freshman and former Grand Blanc resident Jon Merrill's NHL draft hopes hinge on how teams view his maturity . . June 24, 2010 . September 27, 2023.
  3. News: McWethy . Brett . Hockeytown Homecoming: Merrill grateful to join Red Wings . National Hockey League . . November 12, 2020 . September 27, 2023.
  4. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 134. February 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf. March 6, 2019.
  5. News: St. James . Helene . Bobby Ryan, Jon Merrill explain why they picked the Detroit Red Wings in free agency . . October 9, 2020 . September 27, 2023.
  6. News: Kulfan . Ted . Jon Merrill elated about returning to Michigan, playing for hometown Red Wings . . October 9, 2020 . September 27, 2023.
  7. News: Arnold . Jeff . Incoming Michigan hockey player Jon Merrill focused more on the future than NHL Draft . . June 23, 2010 . September 27, 2023.
  8. Web site: Merrill Suspended for 12 Games. mgoblue.com. May 20, 2018. October 1, 2011.
  9. Web site: McKenzie: Jon Merrill Trying to get Career Back on Track. December 15, 2011. April 21, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20130917200236/http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/bob_mckenzie/?id=382842#. 2013-09-17. dead.
  10. Web site: Jon Merrill signs three year contract with Devils; to play remainder of season in Albany . Fire & Ice.com . 2013-03-27 . 2013-03-27 . November 5, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131105012128/http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/jon_merrill_signs_3-year_entry-level_contract_with_devils_to_play_remainder_of_season_in_albany/ . dead .
  11. Web site: Devils notes: Jon Merrill injured in debut . . 2013-11-03 . 2013-11-03.
  12. Web site: Devils confirm Merrill suffered concussion in debut . . 2013-11-03 . 2013-11-04.
  13. Web site: Merrill's first NHL goal lifts Devils over Oilers. sportsnet.ca. May 20, 2018. February 7, 2014.
  14. Web site: Pinchevsky. Tal. Vegas Golden Knights Focus on Defense in N.H.L. Expansion Draft. The New York Times. June 22, 2017. June 22, 2017.
  15. Web site: Jon Merrill Signs Two-Year Contract Extension, AAV $1.375 Million. NHL.com. January 16, 2018. January 16, 2018.
  16. Web site: Detroit, Jon Merrill reach one-year agreement . Kyle . Kujawa . . October 9, 2020 . October 9, 2020.
  17. Web site: Merrill traded to Canadiens by Red Wings . NHL.com . Tim . Campbell . April 11, 2021 . April 11, 2021.
  18. Web site: It took over 100 years, but a native Oklahoman is finally playing in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oklahoman. June 24, 2021. November 19, 2023.
  19. Web site: Wild agree to terms with Jon Merrill on one-year contract . . July 29, 2021 . July 30, 2021.
  20. Web site: Wild Agrees to Terms with Defenseman Jon Merrill on Three-Year Deal . NHL.com . November 12, 2023 . January 11, 2022.
  21. Web site: Jon Merrill . . September 27, 2023.
  22. News: U.S. strikes gold at U18 World Championships . . April 26, 2010 . September 27, 2023.
  23. https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-wild-jon-merrill-stick-tape-twin-cities-pride-night-queerspace/600314612/
  24. News: NCAA Frozen Four Records. NCAA.org. 2013-06-19.
  25. https://tcpride.org/grand-marshal-reception/