PAUSECAST: Nick Merkley and Nate Schnarr Join our Podcast

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For the sixth episode of the Devils Official Pausecast, our guests are Nick Merkley and Nate Schnarr.

Both Nick Merkley and Nate Schnarr joined the Devils organization in December as part of the trade that sent Taylor Hall and Blake Speers to Arizona. Schnarr discussed how having his teammate traded with him, helped him through the process.

"I think it was huge for sure. Obviously it's a stressful time being traded," said Schnarr on having Merkley during the trade. "My first pro season, my first time being traded, it was definitely stressful. It was nice having an older guy like Merkley to lean on. I think he was the first guy I called after and kind of talked with about it."

"I workout with Nathan Bastian in the summer, so he was the second guy on my call list. He was a great guy to have there and lean on as well."

Merkley added about what it was like to start with a different franchise and what his goals were when he was traded to the Devils from the team that drafted him in 2015.

"Obviously you get drafted there [Arizona] and you want to do well. A couple injuries here and there and it didn't work out completely so excited to get to the Devils and get that new opportunity," said Merkley. "You want to come in and make a mark and show what you can do. You kind of start over and get a new opportunity."

Nate Schnarr gave some insight on what it was like for him, Merkley and their teammates on the Binghamton Devils the day where their season was paused in March due to COVID-19.

"We finished a game that night, we heard about that, and actually we were hopping on the bus to Laval. I remember the road trip there, there was a lot of speculation, but nothing really going on. The next morning we woke up, we got a text saying pack your bags, get ready for the league announcement later today."

Since the stoppage of play in March, both Merkley and Schnarr returned to their hometowns. Merkley returned to Calgary Alberta and tasked Schnarr with watching his car before it could be shipped back west. Schnarr, back home in Waterloo Ontario, was happy for the opportunity to watch it and take the Jaguar for a spin.

"I kind of watched over it. It was getting some rust on the brakes so I enjoyed taking it out for a quick spin around the neighborhood, but I tried to take care of it for him. Hopefully it shows up in good condition."

"Let's say the gas was empty when I get it," joked Merkley.

"It's pretty close to empty," followed up Schnarr.

When asked about who they wouldn't trust with their cars, Merkley was quick to answer.

"There's obviously one in mind, it's Mikey McLeod," said Merkley. "I think almost everyone has the same answer there. Schnarr though is pretty reliable. He's the one in our house always taking out the garbage and doing our dishes so yeah I could leave it with Schnarr for sure, but Mikey, there's no chance."

When asked about what Merkley contributes to their household with Schnarr handling dishes and trash, Schnarr gave the insight scoop.

"He keeps the couch pretty warm," joked Schnarr. "I'll give him some credit, he's pretty good in the kitchen. He takes lead on the dinners sometimes. He's got his go to, so I'll give him that one."

"We kind of do a little bit of everything," said Merkley. "Usually salmon, sweet potatoes, and either Brussel sprouts or broccoli or asparagus. That's probably the go-to."

Merkley also discussed playing junior hockey in Kelowna and some of his favorite road trip stories.

"When you go to Swift Current, and Brandon, and do that road trip out east. That's always a fun time. It's usually during Christmas too so it's full on cold, and the snow is up to your knees. So I think going through that with your teammates you learn a lot, kind of get closer together."

Schnarr also shared why part of his love for hockey comes from his hometown and attending OHL games growing up.

"It's just a small community, big hockey town," said Schnarr on his hometown. "I think that's partially the reason why I love [hockey] so much. We had OHL tickets regular season all the way growing up. I remember countless hours being spent at the rink watching my brothers and local teams playing."