Merchant returns to Steelheads

Boise, ID (4/5/17) –Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Tuesday afternoon that rookie forward Will Merchant has returned to the Steelheads after being released from his professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars. He will join the team in Anchorage for the final regular-season series.

Merchant played one game in Texas, making his AHL debut on Sunday against the Milwaukee Admirals. Merchant was kept off the scoresheet in a 7-2 defeat for Texas.

Merchant, 23, has played 66 games with the Steelheads this season. His 21 goals are tied for second on the Steelheads’ roster, while his 48 points rank tenth among all ECHL rookies. Merchant has been among the ECHL’s best power play producers, his 12 goals on the man-advantage leading the Steelheads and ranking fifth in the ECHL.

The Eagan, Minnesota native played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Maine prior to joining the Steelheads. In 136 college games, Merchant totaled 22 goals and 39 points.

Merchant became the seventh Steelhead this season playing under ECHL contract to earn a PTO in the AHL. Defensemen Aaron Harstad and Joe Faust and forwards Travis Ewanyk and Bryce Van Brabant have all signed PTOs with the Stars this season, while forward Kellan Lain and goaltender Branden Komm spent time with AHL Bakersfield.