John Merrick's Junior Review

[Steve 1,920]

John Merrick - Center Extraordinaire

 

 

Born in the Rocky Mountains, John loved the snow and ice. Being the only child, his parents were always there to support him in just about anything he wanted to try. Growing up in the mountains made for a very athletic and strong young man. The local pond would freeze early and hosted all the local activities. At a very young age, John was out on the ice skating, and falling, most everyday. Only 5 years old and skating everyday he could was a lot of fun. His parents weren't surprised when he asked about learning how to figure skate. His father, Joe, was a huge hockey fan but didn't even try to push him in that direction. Figure skating has skills that can translate well into hockey, so his dad was supportive and looked for some local class or instructor. After finding out that the local school had a teacher that was also a figure skater, he hired her to coach his son. Growing up was about to get really good at this point of his life.

 

After a few years of coaching and actually competing in a few events, John came to the conclusion that figure skating was great, but not fulfilling enough for him. Plus his buddies were all playing hockey and he was getting teased a bit about the figure skating. John could handle his friends poking fun at him, they were a tight group of friends, even at that early of an age. John went to watch a few games when the light turned on, he wanted to play hockey. His dad was more excited than John was. As soon as John asked if he could tryout for a team, his dad had him in the car and out to buy all the gear he would need. On the way to the store, his dad was telling him all about hockey and what to do and how to do it. John had to calm him down a bit and asked him if he wanted to tryout with him too. Joe realized he was talking a mile a minute and chuckled. John already knew about the sport, he just needed the desire to actually play hockey. All his buddies were excited all most as much as his dad was. This was the start of John Merrick's life in hockey.

 

John went on to play in at every level of hockey he could as he grew older. By the time he finished junior year in high school, he had colleges scouting him. It was a great time in for John, and his dad of course. He was fine with the attention he was getting. He played very well for his age group and was a standout in many of the leagues he played in. He had a very successful 2 seasons at BSU. The pressure and desire to take the next step and go professional was too great for him. He always dreamed about playing in the VHL, what hockey player doesn't. When he showed the desire to play, there was a team that picked him up in a heart beat. Mexico City, why not. So his career has begun. Only time will tell if he can succeed on that high of a level.