Ryan Merkley

Ryan Merkley (born August 14, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Merkley was drafted first overall by the Guelph Storm in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

Merkley played in his first career OHL game on September 23, 2016, as he recorded an assist in a 5–1 victory over the Saginaw Spirit.

On October 8, Merkley recorded his first career multi-point game, as he recorded three assists in a 5–4 loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Two days later, on October 10, Merkley scored his first career OHL goal, as he scored against Dawson Carty of the Kitchener Rangers in an 8–4 loss.

On December 7, Merkley registered his first career multi-goal game, as he scored twice against Aidan Hughes of the Sarnia Sting in a 5–4 loss.

Merkley recorded his second career three-point game four days later, as he scored two goals, including the overtime winner, while adding an assist in a 4–3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.

Overall, Merkley scored 12 goals and 55 points in his rookie season, while appearing in 62 games.

Merkley was awarded the Emms Family Award as the OHL Rookie of the Year for the 2016–17 season.

Merkley returned to Guelph for the 2017–18 season, as he started the season off with two goals and nine points in his first six games.

On November 12, Merkley recorded his first career four point game, as he recorded four assists in a 5–1 win over the Sudbury Wolves.

Just over a month later, on December 15, Merkley scored a goal and three assists for his second career four point game in a 5–4 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs.

Merkley finished the regular season with 13 goals and 67 points in 63 games for the Storm, helping the club reach the post-season.

On March 23, Merkley appeared in his first career OHL post-season game, earning an assist in a 7–2 loss to the Kitchener Rangers.

In the third game of the series against Kitchener, Merkley recorded his first multi-point game of his OHL career, recording two assists in a 7–5 win.

The following night, Merkley again earned two assists in a 6–4 win.

On April 1, in the sixth game of the series against the Rangers, Merkley scored his first career OHL playoff goal against Mario Culina, however, the Rangers won the game 5–2 to take the series victory.

Merkley was drafted in the first round, 21st overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Merkley played His U16 year with the Toronto Jr Canadians of the GTHL.

He was also called up and played 2 games with the Jr Canadians of the OJHL.

On September 27, 2018, Merkley was assigned to the Storm by his NHL club, the San Jose Sharks, for the 2018–19 season.

On November 3, Merkley recorded four assists in a 5–4 shootout loss to the Saginaw Spirit.

On December 14, 2018, the Storm announced that they traded Merkley to the Peterborough Petes for Pavel Gogolev and draft picks.

In 28 games with the Storm, Merkley scored five goals and 39 points.

Merkley finished the 2018–19 season with the Peterborough Petes.

On December 16, Merkley appeared in his first game with his new club, as he recorded three assists in a 6–3 win over the Ottawa 67's.

On January 10, Merkley scored his first goal with Peterborough, scoring against Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals in a 6–5 overtime loss.

On March 9, Merkley recorded his first two-goal game with the Petes, scoring twice, as well as adding an assist, in a 5–4 win over the Barrie Colts.

In 35 games with the Petes, Merkley scored nine goals and 32 points.

In 63 games during the season split between the Guelph Storm and Peterborough, Merkley scored 14 goals and 71 points.

On March 22, Merkley played in his first playoff game with Peterborough, as he was held to no points in a 7–0 loss to the Oshawa Generals.

In the fifth game of the series, played on March 30, Merkley recorded his first playoff point with the Petes, an assist, in a 4–2 series ending loss.

On June 22, 2018, he was selected with the 21st pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks on July 18, 2018.

At the start of the 2019–20 season, it was announced that Merkley was traded from Peterborough to the London Knights in exchange for future draft picks.

Merkley appeared in his first game with the Knights on September 27, 2019, earning two assists in a 6–2 victory over the Erie Otters.

In his second game with the club, Merkley had three more assists in a 7–3 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs.

On October 4, Merkley scored his first goal for London, scoring against Cedrick Andree of the Ottawa 67's in a 3–0 win.

On February 14, Merkley scored a season-high four points in a game, as he recorded four assists in a 6–3 win over the Kitchener Rangers.

Overall, Merkley scored 15 goals and 76 points in 60 games for the Knights, as his point total was the second highest among all OHL defencemen during the season.