Courtesy: Matt Hiscox
After the London Knights gave up 12 goals in their first two games of the 2019-2020 regular season last weekend against the Peterborough Petes and the Barrie Colts they knew they had to do something to bolster their defense and that’s exactly what they did on Friday Morning. On Friday morning a trade was announced that the Knights made with the Petes in which they sent a pick in 2022 from the Niagara Icedogs and a conditional pick of their own to the Petes in exchange for offensive defenseman Ryan Merkley.
Merkley comes with a lot of OHL experience (something the Knights are lacking this year) as he has an average of over one point per game in his three year OHL career to this point. Merkley also has some NHL experience under his belt as he just came back from his second NHL training camp with the San Jose Sharks. Merkley was a former first overall selection in the OHL in 2016 by the Guelph Storm who then traded him to Peterborough at Christmas last year. Ryan’s offensive prowess on the back end led him to also be a first round selection in the NHL entry draft as the San Jose Sharks drafted him with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 NHL entry Draft.
The trade would pay immediate dividends for the London Knights as Merkley would get two assists in his first game with the team in their 6-2 victory over the Erie Otters on Friday night at Budweiser Gardens. “yeah it just showcases how good of a player Merkley is he’s offensive minded and he has a lot of skill” Said Knights forward Connor McMichael on Merkleys Performance on Friday night with the team. ” yeah he’s got a lot of talent he’s played a couple NHL preseason games so hes got experience and we are happy to have him here.” said Knights forward Antonio Stranges of his new teammate on the blueline. Knights fans can see Merkley and the Knights back at home on Friday October fourth when they take on the Ottawa 67’s.
Ryan Merkley in action on Friday night against the Erie Otters
