Arizona Coyotes Prospect Merkley Gets WHL Award
By Chris Reid
Another honor comes to the prospect pool of the Arizona Coyotes as Forward Nick Merkley is named the WHL Player-of-The-Week.
The Western Hockey League yesterday announced that Kelowna Rockets Forward Nick Merkley was named as their Player-Of-The-Week for the period ending November 8, 2014.
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In leading the Rockets to a 3-0-0 record for the week, Merkley posted 4 G and 4 A for 8 points. Merkley currently has 17 points (7g-10a) in 15 games with the Rockets this season. The Calgary native is in his third WHL campaign with Kelowna and has amassed 165 points (52g-113a) in 154 career WHL regular season contests.
Nick Merkley’s stats:
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 Regular Season | Kelowna Rockets | 15 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 16 |
Merkley was selected in the first round, 30th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.
Three weeks ago I wrote a piece on Merkley and his progress to that point. In that article I pointed out that the young winger started the season poorly.
"“…..Merkley is off to a very slow start this year for the Rockets. After 5 games he has one goal and is at a −3. Obviously, this is not what he needs to do in order to progress to the next level. Merely had a nice 90 point season last year so the talent and ability is there, but production must catch up.”"
It is quite evident that he has improved. He is now on a point-a-game pace and his play has been catching the eye of others in the hockey world.
Merkley is part of the WHL All-Star squad currently facing a Russian All-Star team in the Canada-Russia Series. The opening game was November 9 and Merkley acquitted himself well. Placed in the starting line-up Merkley, while being held pointless, showed off other facets to his game. Team WHL Coach Dave Lowry remarked in the Daily Courier that
"“Nick played his game…he is an offensive guy, but tonight he created, and he brings energy and he knows how to play the game the right way.”"
As with Dylan Strome also being named Player-Of-The-Week in the Ontario Hockey League, the Coyotes seem to be continuing their smart draft decisions and quality picks. The depth that General Manager Don Maloney is stockpiling is quite remarkable.
Next: Arizona Coyotes Dylan Strome is OHL Player-Of-Week
Arizona has come a long way since the Steve Ellman–Jerry Moyes–Wayne Gretzky–Michael Barnett team drove the Coyotes into the ground. It has taken years for the Coyotes to recover and they still have a ways to go. But the future looks bright and that is a huge change from the old days.