Rangers Acquire Nick Merkley

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has acquired forward Nick Merkley from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Anthony Bitetto.
Merkley, 24, has recorded one goal and two assists for three points in nine games with the Sharks this season. With the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL), he collected 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 43 games this season. On the Barracuda, he ranks tied for first in assists, tied for second in points and sixth in goals.
The Calgary, Alberta native has skated in 41 career NHL games split between the Sharks, New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes, tallying four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. In 185 career AHL contests with the Barracuda, Binghamton Devils and Tucson Roadrunners, he has accumulated 51 goals and 96 assists for 147 points. In 2017-18, Merkley was named to the AHL All-Star Game.

A 5-10, 195 pounder, Merkley played parts of five seasons with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he served as assistant captain in 2016-17. In 2014-15, he helped guide the Rockets to a WHL championship and tallied the most playoff assists that season with 22.
Merkley was originally selected by the Coyotes in the first round, 30th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.