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==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===Amatuer career===
Mersch previously played collegiate hockey for the [[Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey|Wisconsin Badgers]] in the [[NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey|NCAA Men's Division I]] [[Big Ten Conference]]. In his [[Senior (education)|senior]] year, Mersch's outstanding play was rewarded with a selection to the [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2013–14]] All-Big Ten First Team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/sports/college/hockey/article_d3f846a0-8e18-5848-945f-62b6925b06cd.html |title=Badgers men's hockey: Michael Mersch, Mark Zengerle, Jake McCabe make inaugural All-Big Ten first team |publisher=[[Baraboo News Republic]] |date=2014-04-01 |access-date=2014-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321160159/http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/sports/college/hockey/article_d3f846a0-8e18-5848-945f-62b6925b06cd.html |archive-date=March 21, 2014 }}</ref>
Growing up in Illinois, Mersch competed with the Chicago Young Americans and Team Illinois AAA in the [[Tier 1 Elite Hockey League]] (T1EHL).<ref name="EP"/> Before joining the [[USA Hockey National Team Development Program]] (USNTDP) in 2008,<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Under-17 Team roster announced |url=https://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=544 |publisher=[[North American Hockey League]] |access-date=April 30, 2024 |date=August 1, 2008}}</ref> Mersch recorded 35 goals and 75 points for Team Illinois.<ref name="EP"/> While competing with the USNTDP, Mersch enrolled in [[Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor, Michigan)|Pioneer High School]] for his sophomore season. After his successful rookie season with the USNTDP, Mersch garnered the attention of [[Mike Eaves]], the head coach for the [[Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey]] team. Due to encouragement from Eaves, Mersch took an accelerated course load offered through [[Brigham Young University]] and summer school to finish high school a year early.<ref name="Baggot">{{cite news |last1=Baggot |first1=Andy |title=UW men's hockey: Mersch's plan for hockey is working fine so far |url=https://madison.com/sports/columnists/andy_baggot/uw-mens-hockey-merschs-plan-for-hockey-is-working-fine-so-far/article_3f89c7aa-edfa-11df-a1d2-001cc4c002e0.html |access-date=April 30, 2024 |publisher=Wisconsin State Journal |date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/mXH9j |archive-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> He returned to the USNTDP for his U-18 season where he posted four goals and eight points in 26 games.<ref name="EP"/>
⚫
[[File:Michael Mersch.jpg|thumb|Mersch with the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in 2013]]

===Collegiate career===
Mersch played for the Wisconsin Badgers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2010 to 2014. There, he enrolled in the [[University of Wisconsin School of Human Ecology|School of Human Ecology]] and majored in consumer affairs.<ref name="uwbadgers bio"/> Through his first 10 games with the Badgers, Mersch was tried in all three forward positions and scored five goals.<ref name="Baggot"/>

Mersch played collegiate hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers for four seasons. In his [[Senior (education)|senior]] year, Mersch's outstanding play was rewarded with a selection to the [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2013–14]] All-Big Ten First Team.<ref name="All-Big Ten">{{cite web |title=ALL-BIG TEN HOCKEY TEAM ANNOUNCED |url=https://btn.com/2014/03/17/all-big-ten-hockey-team-announced/ |publisher=Big 10 Network |access-date=April 30, 2024 |date=March 17, 2014}}</ref>

On April 1, 2014, the Los Angeles Kings signed Mersch to a three-year entry-level contract.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-hockey/2014/4/1/5571800/michael-mersch-los-angeles-kings-contract-wisconsin-hockey-nhl | title = Michael Mercch signs deal with Los Angeles Kings | publisher = buckys5thquarter.com | date = 2014-04-01 | access-date = 2014-04-01}}</ref>
On April 1, 2014, the Los Angeles Kings signed Mersch to a three-year entry-level contract.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-hockey/2014/4/1/5571800/michael-mersch-los-angeles-kings-contract-wisconsin-hockey-nhl | title = Michael Mercch signs deal with Los Angeles Kings | publisher = buckys5thquarter.com | date = 2014-04-01 | access-date = 2014-04-01}}</ref>


===Professional career===
⚫
[[File:Michael Mersch.jpg|thumb|Mersch with the [[Los Angeles Kings]] at their 2013 Development Camp.]]
In the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]] season, on December 11, 2015, Michael drew in to his first NHL game for the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings bested the Pittsburgh Penguins in at 3-2 shootout win at the Consol Energy Center. Mersch registered 2 shots and 3 hits during his 11:01 time on ice.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2015020429 | title = Gaborik's shootout goal lifts Kings over Penguins | website = [[National Hockey League]] | date = 2015-12-11 | access-date = 2015-12-11}}</ref>
In the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]] season, on December 11, 2015, Michael drew in to his first NHL game for the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings bested the Pittsburgh Penguins in at 3-2 shootout win at the Consol Energy Center. Mersch registered 2 shots and 3 hits during his 11:01 time on ice.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2015020429 | title = Gaborik's shootout goal lifts Kings over Penguins | website = [[National Hockey League]] | date = 2015-12-11 | access-date = 2015-12-11}}</ref>


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As a free agent from the Stars at the conclusion of his contract, Mersch was un-signed leading into the pandemic delayed [[2020–21 AHL season|2020–21]] season. He agreed to a professional tryout contract with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, the primary affiliate to the [[Buffalo Sabres]], on February 6, 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://theahl.com/amerks-sign-mersch-to-tryout-deal | title = Amerks sign Mersch to tryout deal | publisher = [[American Hockey League]] | date = February 6, 2021 | access-date = February 6, 2021}}</ref>
As a free agent from the Stars at the conclusion of his contract, Mersch was un-signed leading into the pandemic delayed [[2020–21 AHL season|2020–21]] season. He agreed to a professional tryout contract with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, the primary affiliate to the [[Buffalo Sabres]], on February 6, 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://theahl.com/amerks-sign-mersch-to-tryout-deal | title = Amerks sign Mersch to tryout deal | publisher = [[American Hockey League]] | date = February 6, 2021 | access-date = February 6, 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Mersch and his wife Jenna have one child together.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cool |first1=Suzie |title=COMRIE PROVIDES CALMING PRESENCE FOR AMERKS |url=https://www.amerks.com/news/detail/comrie-provides-calming-presence-for-amerks |publisher=Rochester Americans |access-date=April 30, 2024 |date=January 4, 2023 |quote=Captain Michael Mersch is out of the lineup tonight as him and his wife, Jenna, welcomed their new baby boy into the world yesterday}}</ref>


==Career statistics==
==Career statistics==
Line 319: Line 330:
! Award
! Award
! Year
! Year
! Ref
!
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
| colspan="3" | [[NCAA Division I men's ice hockey|College]]
| colspan="3" | [[NCAA Division I men's ice hockey|College]]
Line 329: Line 340:
| All-[[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] [[List of All-Big Ten Hockey Teams#First Team|First Team]]
| All-[[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] [[List of All-Big Ten Hockey Teams#First Team|First Team]]
| [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2013–14]]
| [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2013–14]]
| <ref name="All-Big Ten"/>
| <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031714aaa.html | title = Big Ten Announces Hockey Postseason Honors | publisher = [[Big Ten Conference]] | date = 2014-04-01 | access-date = 2014-04-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140318022243/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/031714aaa.html | archive-date = March 18, 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[American Hockey Coaches Association|AHCA]] [[List of Division I AHCA All-American Teams|West Second-Team All-American]]
| [[American Hockey Coaches Association|AHCA]] [[List of Division I AHCA All-American Teams|West Second-Team All-American]]
| [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2013–14]]
| [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2013–14]]
| <ref name="AHCA">{{cite web |title=2013-2014 MEN'S CCM HOCKEY DIVISION I ALL-AMERICANS |url=https://ahcahockey.com/allamer/2014.php |publisher=American Hockey Coaches Association |access-date=April 30, 2024 |date=2014}}</ref>
|
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
| colspan="3" | [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| colspan="3" | [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
Line 364: Line 375:
[[Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans]]
[[Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans]]
[[Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players]]
[[Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players]]

{{US-icehockey-winger-stub}}

Revision as of 21:12, 30 April 2024

For the American building contractor and politician, see Michael J. Mersch.

Michael Mersch
Mersch with the Rochester Americans at the 2024 AHL Outdoor Classic
Born (1992-10-02) October 2, 1992 (age 32)
Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams		 Rochester Americans
Los Angeles Kings
NHL draft 110th overall, 2011
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2014–present

Michael Mersch (born October 2, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey forward and captain of the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the 4th round (110th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Mersch was born on October 2, 1992, in Park Ridge, Illinois,[1] to parents Michael and Nancy Mersch. His father, whom he was named after, was a defenseman who played professionally in the International Hockey League.[2] Before his father died in 2000 from cancer,[2] Mersch and his younger brother Dominick were motivated by him to play ice hockey.[3] The pair also grew up with a sister, Natalie.[4]

Playing career

Amatuer career

Growing up in Illinois, Mersch competed with the Chicago Young Americans and Team Illinois AAA in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL).[1] Before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in 2008,[5] Mersch recorded 35 goals and 75 points for Team Illinois.[1] While competing with the USNTDP, Mersch enrolled in Pioneer High School for his sophomore season. After his successful rookie season with the USNTDP, Mersch garnered the attention of Mike Eaves, the head coach for the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team. Due to encouragement from Eaves, Mersch took an accelerated course load offered through Brigham Young University and summer school to finish high school a year early.[6] He returned to the USNTDP for his U-18 season where he posted four goals and eight points in 26 games.[1]

Collegiate career

Mersch played for the Wisconsin Badgers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2010 to 2014. There, he enrolled in the School of Human Ecology and majored in consumer affairs.[4] Through his first 10 games with the Badgers, Mersch was tried in all three forward positions and scored five goals.[6]

Mersch played collegiate hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers for four seasons. In his senior year, Mersch's outstanding play was rewarded with a selection to the 2013–14 All-Big Ten First Team.[7]

On April 1, 2014, the Los Angeles Kings signed Mersch to a three-year entry-level contract.[8]

Professional career

Mersch with the Los Angeles Kings at their 2013 Development Camp.

In the 2015–16 season, on December 11, 2015, Michael drew in to his first NHL game for the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings bested the Pittsburgh Penguins in at 3-2 shootout win at the Consol Energy Center. Mersch registered 2 shots and 3 hits during his 11:01 time on ice.[9]

After four full seasons within the Kings organization following the 2017–18 campaign and having been unable to break into the NHL squad, Mersch left as a free agent and signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2018.[10]

As a free agent from the Stars at the conclusion of his contract, Mersch was un-signed leading into the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season. He agreed to a professional tryout contract with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, the primary affiliate to the Buffalo Sabres, on February 6, 2021.[11]

Personal life

Mersch and his wife Jenna have one child together.[12]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2008–09 U.S. National Development Team NAHL 42 15 13 28 50 9 5 2 7 4
2009–10 U.S. National Development Team USHL 27 4 4 8 22 — — — — —
2010–11 University of Wisconsin WCHA 41 8 11 19 32 — — — — —
2011–12 University of Wisconsin WCHA 37 14 16 30 37 — — — — —
2012–13 University of Wisconsin WCHA 42 23 13 36 22 — — — — —
2013–14 University of Wisconsin B1G 37 22 13 35 18 — — — — —
2013–14 Manchester Monarchs AHL 7 2 1 3 2 4 0 1 1 2
2014–15 Manchester Monarchs AHL 76 22 23 45 25 18 13 9 22 8
2015–16 Ontario Reign AHL 52 24 19 43 26 13 2 4 6 4
2015–16 Los Angeles Kings NHL 17 1 2 3 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Ontario Reign AHL 48 16 17 33 46 5 0 3 3 0
2017–18 Ontario Reign AHL 65 21 28 49 16 4 1 2 3 2
2018–19 Texas Stars AHL 68 23 22 45 36 — — — — —
2019–20 Texas Stars AHL 61 14 13 27 53 — — — — —
2020–21 Rochester Americans AHL 28 8 11 19 24 — — — — —
2021–22 Rochester Americans AHL 65 26 28 54 39 5 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Rochester Americans AHL 61 17 28 45 31 14 6 7 13 4
NHL totals 17 1 2 3 0 — — — — —

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
College
WCHA All-Academic Team 2012–13
All-Big Ten First Team 2013–14 [7]
AHCA West Second-Team All-American 2013–14 [13]
AHL
Calder Cup (Manchester Monarchs) 2015 [14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Michael Mersch". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Tickle, Hunter (April 13, 2018). "'I'm sure my husband is looking very proudly on him': Park Ridge native stars for LA Kings affiliate". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Kosel, Warren (October 4, 2023). "Mersch Brothers 'Grateful To Be Together' At Amerks Training Camp". Rochester Americans. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "25 Michael Mersch". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Under-17 Team roster announced". North American Hockey League. August 1, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Baggot, Andy (November 11, 2010). "UW men's hockey: Mersch's plan for hockey is working fine so far". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "ALL-BIG TEN HOCKEY TEAM ANNOUNCED". Big 10 Network. March 17, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "Michael Mercch signs deal with Los Angeles Kings". buckys5thquarter.com. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "Gaborik's shootout goal lifts Kings over Penguins". National Hockey League. December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "Stars sign Left Wing Michael Mersch to a two-year, two-way deal". Dallas Stars. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  11. ^ "Amerks sign Mersch to tryout deal". American Hockey League. February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  12. ^ Cool, Suzie (January 4, 2023). "COMRIE PROVIDES CALMING PRESENCE FOR AMERKS". Rochester Americans. Retrieved April 30, 2024. Captain Michael Mersch is out of the lineup tonight as him and his wife, Jenna, welcomed their new baby boy into the world yesterday
  13. ^ "2013-2014 MEN'S CCM HOCKEY DIVISION I ALL-AMERICANS". American Hockey Coaches Association. 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  14. ^ "Manchester defeats Utica to win Calder Cup". National Hockey League. June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
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