New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft (#38 overall) defenseman Jon Merrill(5) almost didn’t get to enjoy his chance to turn pro on an ato late last season with minor league affiliate Albany Devils.
But after his third year at University Of Michigan and a broken vertebrae suffered in college hockey exhibition play that left him almost paralyzed, he returned to his Wolverines for one more campaign, and when that was completed signed a three-year entry level deal realizing his dream.
He stepped in an scored a goal and 7 assists in 12 AHL games at the end of 2012/2013 and then picked up in his rookie season right where he left off.
In 11 contests, he already has 2 more tallies and another 5 assists to his totals.
The 6’4″ 205 lbs. blue liner received his first NHL recall to join the parent club but suffered an early game-ending, when he was racing for a defensive zone puck, pursued by an opposing player and went face first into the boards, officially ending his big league debut.
The 21-year old was helped off the ice but should be ok to return to action and won’t be suffering any more setbacks.