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Arizona Coyotes Sign Nick Merkley To Entry Contract

By William Grigsby |

Meet the newest Arizona Coyote to sign an entry level contract

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Nick Merkley reacts on stage after being selected as the number thirty overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Merkley was selected as the 30th overall pick, which the Arizona Coyotes received in the Antoine Vermette trade to the Chicago Blackhawks. If he makes it to training camp (or should I say WHEN) he can thank Antoine in person for being here in Arizona. Is it just me or does his smile remind you of Tom Cruise?

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“It’s something you dream about as a kid and it happened, so I’m really excited,” Merkley said after signing his contract in Kelowna, B.C.

The 5′ 10″, 191-pound Merkley tallied 20-g, 70-a, 90 points with a plus-29 rating in 72 games with the Kelowna Rockets (WHL) in 2014-15. He led Kelowna and ranked sixth in the league in scoring, and finished third in the WHL in assists. He also added 5-g, 22-a, for 27 points in 19 postseason games to help the Rockets win the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions. He went on to score 3-g, 2-g, 5 points at the 2015 Memorial Cup to help Kelowna reach the championship game.

With his 70 assists to say he likes to set-up his line-mates is an understatement. He is a playmaker to the highest degree, and a good skater as well.

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Merkley said signing the contract is just one of several steps on his journey to the NHL. Next up, he is slated to report to Coyotes rookie camp on Sept. 11. When he appeared at the Coyotes rookie development camp in Scottsdale in July, he looked like a player who may develop into a NHL level contributor in time.

He told the Coyotes Dave Vest:

“It will be good to see all the guys again and get back at it,” said Merkley, who met the team’s other draft picks and prospects at the Prospect Development Camp in July.

“Obviously, I’m going to do whatever it takes to put my best foot forward and show the coaches and scouting staff what I have and try to make the team. It might not happen this year but if I give it my all I’ll set myself up good.”

Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney was thrilled when the team selected Merkley with the final pick of the first round. After the Draft, he described getting Merkley, who ranked sixth in the WHL scoring totals, at No. 30 as “a gift.”

“I love this kid,” Maloney said at the Draft. “He has it all. He’s quick, he competes, he’s smart, and he has talent.”

So, keep your eyes on this one of many young prospects as they attempt to break into the NHL

Next: Arizona Coyotes Training Camp Is Almost Upon Us

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