Los Angeles Kings‘ 4th round pick in the 2011 draft (#110 overall) 2nd year left wing Michael Mersch(49) is getting his shot at the NHL after going on a scoring tear in his rookie year, tied for goals scored with minor league affiliate Manchester Monarchs at 22 during the regular season, then led the whole league getting 13 goals and 22 points all the way to the 2015 AHL Calder Cup Championship.
The fairly large 6’2″ 198 lbs. power forward style player was a very late cut from training camp but got right at it again with new farm team Ontario Reign, scoring 12 goals, 3 assists for 15 points.
He also has a mammoth 93 shots on goal in only 19 games this season. That follows similar stats during his first campaign. 223 was the final count of pucks fired at goaltenders, then another 66 in 18 playoff games.
This is a player that likes to go to the net.
In his first three big league appearances he’s skated an average of 16 shifts for almost 11 minutes of ice, including :30 on the penalty kill. He had three shots on the cage, an almost given 6 hits, 1 giveaway and unfortunately came away a -2 in the last game he skated. The team has run a 1-2 record.
No scoring yet but that should come if he’s given the chance now to make it happen.
A graduate from University Of Wisconsin, the 23-year old was unique among college players as he was given a three-year entry level deal that runs through 2016/2017, so there is time.