Despite losing their top three scorers to graduation, including New Jersey rookie sensation Damon Severson, the Kelowna Rockets haven't missed a beat. They sit atop the Western Hockey League with a sparkling 14-1-1 record, having started the season with 10 consecutive wins. Blueliner Madison Bowey, a Washington Captitals second-rounder, has taken his game to new levels this season while up front the attack has been stoked by second-year forward Nick Merkley. The Calgary native leads the WHL with 27 points including 22 assists - also league leading. Here is a scouting breakdown on Merkley - plus a YouTube highlight pack from a recent game against a strong Brandon opponent that shows quite a few of the aspects that I touch upon in my report.
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Nick Merkley (@merkdaddy4), C/RW, Kelowna Rockets-WHL
Height: 5’10.5 ... Weight: 190 lbs ... Shoots: Right ... DOB: 1997-05-23
Stats: 16GP - 5G - 22A - 27PTS - +10 - 12PIM
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Speed
- Strong bursting acceleration with quick opening strides Merkley is easily one of the quickest skates on a very fast Kelowna Rockets Team, and well above average with his top end speed, defenders often attempt to close quickly on him to remove his time and space… Elusive with strong lateral movements, side steps and bursts by defenders with or without the puck... Stops and starts are quick and unpredictable, speed consistently drives Merkley’s offensive game
Skills
- In the arsenal of Merkley’s offensive weapons, his passing ability is already at an elite level, telegraphs nothing when looking to step up teammates and often passes the puck through very small seams, (6 multi-assist games already & leads the WHL in assists). Quickly stalls his movement to draw defenders in, opening even the smallest lanes, elite vision finds openings, precision passing locates teammates, especially cross-ice… Works the perimeter very well, flourishes as a dynamic play-making winger especially in the 1-3-1 powerplay set up… Consistently puck carries from half-board around the back of the net, continuous movement draw defenders out of position… Stick handling eludes them… Shot is quick and accurate, but not used enough as Merkley first option is as a set-up man… Controls the puck with very good stick handling ability, tight movements in small areas… Puck Handling combined with skill aids in zone entries and increased possession time, pushing the puck in the offensive direction he is a major catalyst for Kelowna’s offence… Merkley’s ability on the half boards is easy to see, however to round out his game at the next level he will have to show stronger consistency for driving the net to refrain from becoming one dimensional and easy to defend.
Smarts
- Intelligence with or without the puck is evident when watching Merkley work in the offensive zone, an elusive and slippery player who isn’t afraid of contact… To observe him work in his comfort-zone one would see a player who generally starts on the perimeter of the ice for calculated offensive set up… Despite his size (or perceived lack there of) the physical nature of the WHL has not slowed Merkley, his skating aids in being very effective as slippery player who rarely takes direct physical contact, frustrating defenders as they miss full body contact… Hockey sense is very high, thinks the game at level that puts him a step ahead of the play, understands what teammates abilities are and works plays to make things easier for linemates… A great sense for developing plays… Merkley’s heads up play and game awareness will bode well for him at the NHL level, his quick movements and high end puck skills should allow his game to translate and remain a slippery offensive producer against bigger and faster players.
Skating
- Difficult to pick a single part of Merkley’s game as a strong point, his ability to use the blades under his feet is certainly a top aspect to his game, elite level balance and edging constantly keep him on his feet and rarely out of the play… Talents to make high end offensive plays from any body or skate position, either off the rush, working from the half boards or from behind the net… Constantly watching the angle of his skates change with little to no loss of momentum, his movements are incredible smooth and very difficult to telegraph… Mobility is some of the best in the WHL, shiftiness, balance & bursting acceleration make Merkley one of the best all around skaters in the upcoming draft... Keeps his body open to the play and his head up, works on his skates in a heal-to-heal stance maintaining momentum and increasing angles and options at which to make plays.
Thanks for reading
Andy Levangie thehockeyuniverse@gmail.com
@AndyLevang