Former Kelowna Rocket, Nick Merkley, is likely to see his first National Hockey League action in the next few days.
The Arizona Coyotes called up the 20-year-old on Friday from the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League, but one report from Arizona indicated Merkley won’t be in the lineup tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Coyotes don’t play again until Tuesday when they host the Florida Panthers and are at home to the Washington Capitals on Friday.
Merkley, drafted by the Coyotes in the first round (30th overall) in 2015, has gotten off to a strong start in his first professional season, scoring 12 goals and adding 12 assists in 20 games with Tucson and is second in team scoring.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound first-year forward ranks third in points and is second in goals among AHL rookies. Merkley has collected at least one point in 14 of 20 games with the Roadrunners.
The Calgary, Alta. native recorded 85 goals, 174 assists (259 points) in 245 career games with the Western Hockey League Rockets. In 2014-15, Merkley led the team in scoring with 20-70-90 in 72 games and helped the Rockets win the WHL championship.
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