Ryan Merkley has had to grow up in the spotlight this season.
The rookie Guelph Storm defenceman and likely OHL rookie of the year always had the offensive tools to succeed at this level, it was the defensive game and the way he dealt with adversity that have needed to mature.
But more and more, as the season has progressed, the talk has been of his improved defensive play and that maturity.
Case in point Friday night.
Merkley had a pair of assists, including springing James McEwan for a game-winning breakaway goal in the third period, as the Storm downed the Sarnia Sting 4-2 at the Sleeman Centre.
But the talk after the game was of a great defensive play he made late in the game, catching and poking the puck away from Sarnia’s Anthony Salinitri on a partial shorthanded breakaway with the Storm leading by a goal.
“That’s a 3-2 game when I caught that guy so it was a big play. Just as good as any of those assists,” Merkley said.
Learning the defensive game has taken time, he admits.
“It just comes along with growth, right? It takes time playing against stronger, older, faster people,” Merkley said.
“It takes an adjustment period. It’s not as easy as minor midget that’s for sure.”
He admits that he had a lot of bad habits coming into the OHL and it’s taken a while to learn and adjust. Merkley said he is a “100 per cent” better player than when he entered the league.
“Focus. Being aware. Always having my head on a swivel. Not losing my man and coming back hard when I turn that puck over.”
He also said there’s been a maturity in how he handles and reacts to things, something that Storm coach Jarrod Skalde has also noticed.
“There’s been a huge growth spurt for him mentally and emotionally. Handling losing games and handling tough situations,” Skalde said. “His maturity has come a long way. We’ve watched him grow right in front of us.”
Skalde has also noticed Merkley’s defensive game steadily improve.
“Ryan’s come a long way with that commitment to playing defence. He’s an all-round better player,” Skalde said.
“It’s fun watching him grow and watching him become a complete player.”
Merkley’s two assists give him 52 points on the season.
“The sky’s the limit there,” Skalde said of Merkley’s point potential.
“His vision and his hockey sense are just through the roof. If he could establish a shot that is just going to really complete him.”
Liam Herbst made 27 saves in net for the Storm in Friday’s win.
Isaac Ratcliffe, Albert Michnac and Garret McFadden, the latter a 190-foot Hail Mary into the empty net, had the other Storm goals.
