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Dawson Mercer
Born (2001-10-27)October 27, 2001,
Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada
Height
Weight
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team New Jersey Devils
Ntl. team Flag of Canada Canada
NHL Draft 18th overall, 2020
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2021–present


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]

Early life[]

Mercer was born on October 27, 2001, in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland[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 is a goaltender while his sister 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]

International play[]

Medal record
Competitor for Flag of Canada Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver 2022 Finland
World Junior Championships
Gold 2020 Czech Republic
Silver 2021 Canada

Mercer won a gold medal playing for Team Canada in the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[15] 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 GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2017–18 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 61 11 15 26 25 10 1 3 4 0
2018–19 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 68 30 34 64 50 16 5 11 16 8
2019–20 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 26 18 24 42 21
2019–20 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 16 6 12 18 4
2020–21 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 23 19 17 36 6 9 6 11 17 4
2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 82 17 25 42 28
NHL totals 82 17 25 42 28

International[]

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2017 Canada Black U17 5 2 0 2 0
2020 Canada WJC 7 0 0 0 0
2021 Canada WJC 7 2 4 6 2
2022 Canada WC 10 0 5 5 0
Junior totals 19 4 4 8 2
Senior totals 10 0 5 5 0

Awards and honors[]

Award Year Ref
QMJHL
Guy Carbonneau Trophy 2021 [16]

References[]

  1. 2020 NHL Draft Profile: RW Dawson Mercer. NBC Sports. Retrieved on 30 September 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Dawson Mercer. Elite Prospects.
  3. 3.0 3.1 NHL debut for Newfoundlander Dawson Mercer was a family affair. Saltwire (October 16, 2021).
  4. New Jersey Gets a Beauty in Dawson Mercer. Sports Illustrated (October 14, 2020).
  5. Mercer brothers keeping tradition of strong Newfoundlanders in the "Q" alive and well. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (December 31, 2020).
  6. Les cousins Mercer et Bennett : comme des frères (French). Drummondville Voltigeurs (September 11, 2019).
  7. 7.0 7.1 Bay Roberts' Dawson Mercer well-prepped to be a QMJHL first-round pick. Saltwire (June 4, 2017).
  8. "Le sacrifice de Dawson Mercer", Le Journal de Québec, November 12, 2019. 
  9. Repêchage 2017 (French). Drummondville Voltigeurs (June 5, 2017).
  10. "Newfoundland trio will skate for Canada in world U17 tourney", The Telegram, October 19, 2017. 
  11. Mercer finaliste au trophée Michael-Bossy (French). Journal Express (March 31, 2020).
  12. RELEASE: Mercer Agrees to Terms on ELC. National Hockey League (December 24, 2020).
  13. Plenty of 'Firsts' in Mercer's Debut. National Hockey League (October 16, 2021).
  14. Mercer Scores First NHL Goal as Devils Defeat Kraken (2021-10-19).
  15. Touted as Newfoundland's 'Next One,' Mercer aims to emulate Bergeron. TSN (June 4, 2020). Retrieved on September 30, 2020.
  16. Phillip Danault announces the 2021 Guy-Carbonneau Trophy winner (June 2, 2021).

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Alexander Holtz
New Jersey Devils first round draft pick
2020
Succeeded by
Shakir Mukhamadullin
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