The Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Jon Merrill to a free-agent contract last month after spending the first seven years of his NHL career split between the New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights.
And for someone who grew up in Grand Blanc and attended the University of Michigan, Merrill jumped at the chance to join the team that he grew up cheering for.
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“I grew up playing for Little Caesars, and going down to Joe Louis Arena once a week, it felt like, to practice or to catch a Wings game,” Merrill explained during an interview with “The Word on Woodward”. “And obviously as a kid growing up in the 90s in Michigan, there was a lot of success with the Detroit Red Wings organization. I was a huge fan, and I’m just so fortunate that my career has led me to this point now, and to have an opportunity to play for my childhood team. I’m so grateful.”
Prior to playing collegiate hockey in Ann Arbor, Merrill suited up for the US National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. He’s also excited to re-join former Michigan teammate Luke Glendening in Detroit.
“It eases my mind a little bit, knowing that Luke’s going to be there, somebody I’m familiar with,” Merrill said. “But I still have some of those new-team jitters. I can’t wait to get out there and meet all the players and staff, coaches, trainers, everybody that’s involved with the day-to-day. I’m hoping to get out there soon to start working with the boys and getting familiar and getting things going.”
Merrill is among several new faces on the Red Wings, alongside Bobby Ryan, Vladislav Namestnikov, Thomas Greiss, Troy Stecher and Thomas Greiss.
For Merrill, his goal is to help in any way he can with accelerating the team rebuild.
“My goal is to come in and be somebody who’s a positive influence every day, someone that comes in with a smile and to get better every single day in whatever way we can,” Merrill said.
– – Quotes via Brett McWethy of DetroitRedWings.com Link – –
