Jon Merrill

Lore & Background

Merrill began playing ice hockey at age four after his family moved from Oklahoma City to Grand Blanc, Michigan. He played youth hockey with the Detroit Little Caesars and appeared at the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. As a childhood fan of the Detroit Red Wings, he served as a flag bearer during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. He spent two years with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program before playing NCAA college hockey with the Michigan Wolverines. Merrill was suspended for the first 12 games of the 2011–12 season by the University of Michigan for violating team rules.

Merrill signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils in March 2013. In his NHL debut on November 3, 2013, he fell into the boards less than five minutes into the game, sustaining severe facial lacerations and a concussion. He scored his first NHL goal on February 7, 2014, a game winner in overtime against Ilya Bryzgalov of the Edmonton Oilers, becoming the first Devil to score his first NHL goal in overtime.

Selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL expansion draft, Merrill spent three seasons with the club and signed a two-year, $2.75 million contract extension in January 2018. He later played for the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens (helping them reach the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals), and Minnesota Wild, signing a three-year, $3.6 million extension with the Wild in January 2022.

Reader's Guide

Jon Merrill's significance lies in his role as an original member of the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL's expansion team that debuted in 2017. Selected in the expansion draft, he was part of the foundational group that established the franchise's identity. His career also includes a notable playoff run with the Montreal Canadiens, who reached the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals. Merrill's journey from a childhood Red Wings fan to playing for multiple NHL organizations reflects the path of a steady defenseman who contributed at both the AHL and NHL levels. Off the ice, Merrill and his wife Jessica have been recognized as advocates for the LGBTQ community, speaking out against the NHL policy banning teams from wearing themed jerseys, specifically Pride Night jerseys. They were named '2024 Allies of the Year' for Twin Cities Pride. His international play includes two gold medals at the IIHF World U18 Championships with the United States in 2009 and 2010.

Did You Know?

• Merrill was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but moved to Grand Blanc, Michigan, at age three.
• Merrill scored his first NHL goal in overtime, making him the first New Jersey Devil to do so.