Jon Merrill

Jon Merrill
Merrill with the New Jersey Devils in 2014
Born	(1992-02-03) February 3, 1992 (age 32) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Minnesota Wild New Jersey Devils Vegas Golden Knights Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens
National team	United States
NHL draft	38th overall, 2010 New Jersey Devils
Playing career	2013–present

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

Merrill played for the Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team for the 2011–12 season.

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.^{[ citation needed ]}

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

Medal record
Representing   United States
World Junior Championships
	2011 Buffalo
World U18 Championships
	2009 Minnesota
	2010 Minsk

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. ^{[21] [22]}

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008–09	U.S. NTDP U17	USDP		24	2	1	3	18		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	U.S. NTDP U18	USDP		19	1	4	5	6		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	U.S. NTDP U18	NAHL		26	2	2	4	14		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	U.S. NTDP Juniors	USHL		22	1	8	9	12		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	U.S. NTDP U17	USDP		2	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	U.S. NTDP U18	USDP		56	5	27	32	18		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	University of Michigan	CCHA		42	7	18	25	16		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	University of Michigan	CCHA		19	2	9	11	15		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	University of Michigan	CCHA		21	2	9	11	14		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Albany Devils	AHL		12	1	7	8	4		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Albany Devils	AHL		15	2	8	10	0		4	1	1	2	10
2013–14	New Jersey Devils	NHL		52	2	9	11	12		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	New Jersey Devils	NHL		66	2	12	14	24		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	New Jersey Devils	NHL		47	1	4	5	28		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	New Jersey Devils	NHL		51	1	5	6	24		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		34	1	2	3	22		8	0	0	0	10
2018–19	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		57	3	12	15	53		7	0	0	0	0
2019–20	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		49	2	5	7	32		1	0	1	1	0
2020–21	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		36	0	5	5	12		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		13	0	0	0	4		13	0	0	0	0
2021–22	Minnesota Wild	NHL		69	4	16	20	22		6	0	1	1	0
2022–23	Minnesota Wild	NHL		73	2	10	12	38		2	0	0	0	2
2023–24	Minnesota Wild	NHL		65	4	7	11	30		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				612	22	87	109	301		37	0	2	2	12

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	United States	U18			7	0	2	2	4
2010	United States	U18			7	0	1	1	2
2011	United States	WJC			6	1	4	5	0
2012	United States	WJC	7th		6	0	4	4	6
2022	United States	WC	4th		1	0	0	0	0
Junior totals					25	1	11	12	12
Senior totals					1	0	0	0	0

Personal life

Jon is married to Jessica Merrill. Together, they are advocates for the LGBTQ community ^[23] He spoke out against the NHL policy banning teams from wearing themed jerseys, specifically Pride night jerseys, after several players across the league sat out of warm-ups instead of wearing the jerseys on Pride nights. ^[24]

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
NCAA All-Tournament Team	2011	[25]

Jon and Jessica were named "2024 Allies of the Year" for Twin Cities Pride. ^[26]

References

1. "Jon Merrill Stats and News". National Hockey League . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
2. Feldman, Dan (June 24, 2010). "Incoming Michigan freshman and former Grand Blanc resident Jon Merrill's NHL draft hopes hinge on how teams view his maturity". The Flint Journal . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
3. McWethy, Brett (November 12, 2020). "Hockeytown Homecoming: Merrill grateful to join Red Wings". National Hockey League. Detroit Red Wings . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
4. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. p. 134. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
5. St. James, Helene (October 9, 2020). "Bobby Ryan, Jon Merrill explain why they picked the Detroit Red Wings in free agency". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
6. Kulfan, Ted (October 9, 2020). "Jon Merrill elated about returning to Michigan, playing for hometown Red Wings". The Detroit News . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
7. Arnold, Jeff (June 23, 2010). "Incoming Michigan hockey player Jon Merrill focused more on the future than NHL Draft". The Ann Arbor News . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
8. "Merrill Suspended for 12 Games". mgoblue.com. October 1, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
9. "McKenzie: Jon Merrill Trying to get Career Back on Track". December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
10. "Jon Merrill signs three year contract with Devils; to play remainder of season in Albany". Fire & Ice.com. March 27, 2013. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
11. "Devils notes: Jon Merrill injured in debut". NorthJersey.com. November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
12. "Devils confirm Merrill suffered concussion in debut". NBC Sports. November 3, 2013. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
13. "Merrill's first NHL goal lifts Devils over Oilers". sportsnet.ca. February 7, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
14. Pinchevsky, Tal (June 22, 2017). "Vegas Golden Knights Focus on Defense in N.H.L. Expansion Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
15. "Jon Merrill Signs Two-Year Contract Extension, AAV $1.375 Million". NHL.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
16. Kujawa, Kyle (October 9, 2020). "Detroit, Jon Merrill reach one-year agreement". Detroit Red Wings . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
17. Campbell, Tim (April 11, 2021). "Merrill traded to Canadiens by Red Wings". NHL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
18. "It took over 100 years, but a native Oklahoman is finally playing in the Stanley Cup Finals". The Oklahoman. June 24, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
19. "Wild agree to terms with Jon Merrill on one-year contract". Minnesota Wild. July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
20. "Wild Agrees to Terms with Defenseman Jon Merrill on Three-Year Deal". NHL.com. January 11, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
21. "Jon Merrill". USA Hockey . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
22. "U.S. strikes gold at U18 World Championships". North American Hockey League. April 26, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
23. McLellan, Sarah (October 25, 2023). "Wild's Jon Merrill was going to break NHL rule on rainbow stick tape; now he won't have to". Star Tribune .
24. Shipley, John (October 11, 2023). "Wild's Jon Merrill on NHL's Pride Night directive: 'I don't understand it'". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
25. "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
26. "Grand Marshal Reception – Twin Cities Pride".

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database