Merzlikins, 27, has posted a 21-21-13 record with a 2.54 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and seven shutouts in 61 career NHL games. Since making his debut with Columbus in 2019, he is tied for fourth in the NHL in save percentage, ranks sixth-T in shutouts and is 11th in goals-against average among goaltenders with at a minimum of 50 games played.
"Goaltending is a position of strength for our team and Elvis Merzlikins has been an important part of that over the past two seasons so we are very excited to have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will keep him in Columbus for at least the next six years," said Kekalainen. "He is big, athletic and has a tremendous passion for the game and we believe he will be an integral part of our success in the coming years."
Selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round, 76th overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft, Merzlikins went 8-12-5 with a 2.77 GAA, .916 SV% and two shutouts in 28 appearances in 2020-21. He led Blue Jackets netminders in GAA, SV% and shutouts. In 2019-20, he became the fifth player, and second goaltender (Steve Mason), in franchise history to be named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after leading all rookies in GAA, SV% and shutouts and ranking third-T in wins with a 13-9-8 record, 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and five shutouts in 33 appearances. He was tied for second in the NHL in shutouts and ranked fifth in GAA and SV% (tied) that season.
The Riga, Latvia native registered a 105-79-7 record with a 2.63 GAA, .920 SV% and 15 shutouts in 210 career outings with Lugano in the Swiss National League (NLA) from 2013-19. He captured the Jacques Plante Trophy as the league's Goaltender of the Year in the 2015-16 and 2017-18 campaigns. In 2018-19, Merzlikins posted a 22-18-0 record with a 2.44 GAA, .921 SV% and a career-high five shutouts in 43 games with Lugano.
The 6-3, 185-pound netminder has represented Latvia in several international tournaments. He was named a top three player foelr his country at the 2016, 2017 and 2018 IIHF World Championships and participated in the 2019 tournament. He also played for Latvia at the 2012 and 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships and 2012 IIHF U18 World Championships.
FULL ELVIS MERZLIKINS STATS
