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Nick Merkley at the NHL Entry Draft. (Photo Credit: Aaron Bell/CHL Images)
A high scorer in the last WHL playoffs just became the sixth Rocket to be drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
The Arizona Coyotes selected forward Nick Merkley as the 30th pick in the draft, or the last pick of the first round. This player led the Rockets in scoring in just his second year with the team, acquiring 20 goals and 70 assists in all 72 games with the Rockets.
Nick Merkley. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Merkley is just the second Kelowna forward to be picked in the first round of the NHL draft, joining Scott Parker. Other Rockets in the first round were defenceman Kyle McLaren, Scott Hannan, Tyler Myers, and Luke Schenn.
More Rockets could be drafted in the end of the NHL Draft on Saturday morning in Florida. Both Joe Gatenby and Devante Stephens have been listed by NHL Central Scouting.
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