For the seventh time in the history of the NHL Draft, a player from Newfoundland and Labrador has gone in the first round.
“I was just so excited when I heard my name finally called. I don’t think there was a better moment of that feeling in my hockey career.”
Dawson Mercer takes questions from the media after being selected 18th overall by the #NJDevils.#DevilsDraft | @GEICO pic.twitter.com/WqXgj5fPSJ
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 7, 2020
Dawson Mercer of Bay Roberts, a 6′ centre who did spot duty with Canada’s national junior team last Christmas, went 18th overall to the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils were the last team that fellow Newfoundlander Ryane Clowe suited up with before retiring because of injury issues.
Mercer had 60 points in 42 games last season with Chicoutimi and Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He is seen as a complete player who also carries a big influence in the dressing room with a magnetic personality but one who has to improve his skating.
Mercer, who can also play right-wing and is good on the power play and penalty kill, idolizes Boston Bruins’ superstar Patrice Bergeron and wants to be the next Patrice Bergeron.
