Justin Mercier

Justin Mercier (born June 25, 1987 in Erie, Pennsylvania) is an American professional ice hockey left wing currently playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Amateur
Mercier was drafted 168th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. Mercier was drafted from the United States National Development Team Program after previously playing with the St. Louis Heartland Eagles in the USHL.

Mercier committed to Miami University in the summer of 2004, and after recording 10 points in his freshman year, Mercier developed into an aggressive scoring forward in the following years for Miami. As a senior Mercier was named the West regional MVP as he helped guide the Redhawks to the Frozen Four, losing the 2008–09 National Championship game 4-3 in overtime to Boston University.

Professional
On July 10, 2009, Mercier was signed to a three-year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Mercier was then assigned to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, to start his first professional season in 2009–10. Expected to provide an energetic, physical presence, Mercier got off to a slow start recording a single assist in 24 games with Lake Erie before he was surprisingly recalled to the Avalanche on Demember 8, 2009. He made his NHL debut the next night in a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on December 9, 2009. Mercier returned to his Native Erie and on the turn of the year finally scored his first professional goals in a 3-2 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs on January 2, 2010. In his second recall to the Avalanche, Justin scored his first NHL goal in a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on February 4, 2010.

International play
Apart of the U.S. development program, Mercier was named to the United States Team for the 2005 U18 World Championships. Far from the most skilled player, he was praised for his tenacity and tireless work as he recorded 1 assist in 6 games helping the U.S. capture Gold. In the gold medal game, a 5-1 victory over Canada, Mercier gained notoriety when he was assessed a match penalty and ejected in the third period following a dangerous hit along the boards against Colton Yellow Horn.