Dawson Mercer

Dawson Mercer (born October 27, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 18th overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

Dawson Mercer
Mercer with the New Jersey Devils in 2022
Born (2001-10-27) October 27, 2001
Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Centre / Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team New Jersey Devils
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 18th overall, 2020
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2021–present

Early life

Mercer was born on October 27, 2001, in Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada[2] to parents Charlotte and Craig.[3] His father is a powerline technician while his mother manages a convenience store.[4] His father also coached in the Conception Bay North area and had a tryout with the American Hockey League’s St. John's Maple Leafs.[3] Besides his father, both of his younger siblings also play ice hockey; his brother Riley Mercer is a goaltender while his sister Jessica Mercer is a defenceman.[5] His cousin Zachery Bennett also plays ice hockey.[6]

Playing career

Junior

Growing up in Newfoundland, Mercer played for the Tri Pen Ice U15 AAA in the Newfoundland Bantam AAA league.[2] After recording 68 points in 24 games,[2] Mercer chose to play prep hockey with the Bishop's College School under-18 varsity team at the age of 15.[7] He chose to leave his home province in part to increase his playing ability and join his cousin.[8] In his first season at Bishop, he finished third in scoring with 18 goals and 30 assists through 51 games to earn a high ranking by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Central Scouting.[7] Mercer was eventually drafted eighth overall by the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the 2017 QMJHL Draft.[9]

As a rookie in the QMJHL, Mercer recorded 26 points through 68 games.[2] During the season, he was selected for Team Canada's Black U17 team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.[10] In the 2019–20 season, he finished with 60 points in 42 games and was nominated for the Michael Bossy Trophy.[11]

Professional

On December 24, 2020, Mercer was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the New Jersey Devils.[12] He made his NHL debut the following season on October 15, 2021, against the Chicago Blackhawks. During the game, he recorded his first career NHL assist on a goal by Andreas Johnsson.[13] On October 19, Mercer scored his first NHL goal against the Seattle Kraken.[14] He would finish his rookie season with 42 points, and led the team in games played with 82.

On April 27, 2023, Mercer scored his first NHL playoff goal against the New York Rangers, in a 4–0 shutout in Game 5 of the 2023 playoffs.[15]

International play
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver medal – second place2022 Finland
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place2020 Czech Republic
Silver medal – second place2021 Canada

Mercer won a gold medal playing for Team Canada in the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[16] He again represented Canada at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and won a silver medal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2017–18 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 6111152625 101340
2018–19 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 6830346450 16511168
2019–20 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 2618244221 —————
2019–20 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 16612184 —————
2020–21 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 231917366 9611174
2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 8217254228 —————
2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 8227295614 123472
NHL totals 16444549842 123472

International
Year Team Event GPGAPtsPIM
2017 Canada Black U17 52020
2020 Canada WJC 70000
2021 Canada WJC 72462
2022 Canada WC 100550
Junior totals 194482
Senior totals 100550

Awards and honors
Award Year Ref
QMJHL
Guy Carbonneau Trophy 2021 [17]

References
  1. ROUMELIOTIS, CHARLIE. "2020 NHL Draft Profile: RW Dawson Mercer". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  2. "Dawson Mercer". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  3. Mccarthy, Brendan (October 16, 2021). "NHL debut for Newfoundlander Dawson Mercer was a family affair". Saltwire. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  4. Kennedy, Ryan (October 14, 2020). "New Jersey Gets a Beauty in Dawson Mercer". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  5. MacLaren, Will (December 31, 2020). "Mercer brothers keeping tradition of strong Newfoundlanders in the "Q" alive and well". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  6. "Les cousins Mercer et Bennett : comme des frères" (in French). Drummondville Voltigeurs. September 11, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  7. Short, Robin (June 4, 2017). "Bay Roberts' Dawson Mercer well-prepped to be a QMJHL first-round pick". Saltwire. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  8. Dubé, Kevin (November 12, 2019). "Le sacrifice de Dawson Mercer". Le Journal de Québec. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  9. "Repêchage 2017" (in French). Drummondville Voltigeurs. June 5, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  10. "Newfoundland trio will skate for Canada in world U17 tourney". The Telegram. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  11. Habashi, Jonathan (March 31, 2020). "Mercer finaliste au trophée Michael-Bossy" (in French). Journal Express. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  12. "RELEASE: Mercer Agrees to Terms on ELC". National Hockey League. December 24, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  13. Bogart, Catherine (October 16, 2021). "Plenty of 'Firsts' in Mercer's Debut". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  14. "Mercer Scores First NHL Goal as Devils Defeat Kraken". NHL.com. October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  15. "Haula leads Devils past Rangers 4-0 for 3-2 series lead". ESPN. April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  16. Masters, Mark (June 4, 2020). "Touted as Newfoundland's 'Next One,' Mercer aims to emulate Bergeron". TSN. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  17. "Phillip Danault announces the 2021 Guy-Carbonneau Trophy winner". theqmjhl.ca. June 2, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
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