John Merrick - Rookie Experience

[Steve 1,920]

John Merrick's Rookie Experience

 

 

 

       The move into the big league can be a scary thought to some players. It is easy to get comfortable playing against lower skilled players in the minors. Making the jump into the big league can be brutal as you are playing against big men, not young boys. John Merrick was not at all worried, he relished the thought of playing on Toronto and playing with and against the top players in the VHL.

 

       Coming off a good minor league season, John Merrick was confident that he could contribute to the team on a limited role. Little did he know he would play huge minutes and have to center the second unit. It was a dream come true.

 

      John Merrick's first full VHL season wasn't bad at all. With 84 points, he was well over a point per game. Not a bad start to his VHL career. Also he wasn't a liability as he finished the season with a plus 27. The pressure was a bit high to perform. Being drafted 5^th overall does put a bit a pressure on you to get the job done and prove you were worth the risk. John feels like he did a fine job in his first season and the pressure now is just winning games in the playoffs.

 

       Coming to Toronto was a painless part of the transition. They are a very well organized team and has a great GM. The team took to John and made him feel at home. All things felt right about the move up to the big league. It wasn't all rainbows and roses, but it was a start and the team pulled together and started to win games against the leagues finest. With roles being defined as the season move through the schedule, John felt very comfortable in his role. He ate a lot a minutes in his first season, something that not all rookies can say.

 

       With continued hard work, John Merrick looks to have a great career in the VHL. All signs are pointing to success, no matter where he plays, John feels he can contribute and be a viable player for just about any team. Making a run for the cup in his first season has been the icing on the cake. The playoffs are tough, even tougher on a rookie. John has handled the playoffs well so far with 10 points in 7 games. Nothing is easy though. Every series can go either way but John is doing what he has always done, work hard and be the best that he can be.