One not-so-familiar face at Rookie Camp this year is Michael Mersch, the former University of Wisconsin standout and 2011 fourth round pick whose previous acclimation to the Los Angeles Kings came only through the club’s annual summer Development Camp. As an NCAA-based prospect, eligibility and amateurism rules forbade him from attending a proper training camp.
Mersch, who scored 67 goals in 157 career games with the Badgers, debuted in Manchester at the end of last season upon the expiration of his college eligibility and recorded two goals and three points in seven games before notching one assist in the Monarchs’ first round loss to the Norfolk Admirals.
The sturdy six-foot-two, 210 pound forward has a reputation for attacking some of the more challenging areas of the ice. Referencing “below the dots” as the area where he finds the most strength in his game, Mersch looks to continue his development into an able bodied forward.
“Hanging around the net and kind of putting away some of the ugly goals and taking away the goalie’s eyes,” Mersch described as his assets. “Things like that – just getting in the dirty areas and contributing that way.”
As there are players who have spent more time within the club’s system battling for recognition and to make a team that has won two Stanley Cups in three years and doesn’t appear to have many holes or available roster spots, that Mersch will end up in Manchester is a very safe bet.
Does that change his outlook heading into training camp?
“Obviously coming into the camp here, it’s my first one,” he said. “I kind of was able to talk to some people around the organization and see what to expect, and that was good. I think everybody’s mindset coming into camp is to try and make the L.A. Kings. Obviously they have a deep roster and a lot of good players up there. Sometimes it’s difficult, but why not make that your mindset and see what happens?”
His first opportunity to put his mindset into practice will come against the Arizona Coyotes in tonight’s rookie game. During line rushes and practices at Rookie Camp this week, he had been skating alongside Nick Shore and Scott Sabourin, a pair of players who spent the entire season with the Monarchs.
Shore, like Mersch, was an NCAA-based player at Denver University, while Sabourin joined the organization after three years with the OHL-based Oshawa Generals. It’s not necessarily an argument fit for there here and now on this page, but there’s always the debate over whether college hockey (where Mersch played 157 games over four seasons) or junior hockey (where players are eligible to play full-time at 16 and can log over 300 games if they play five seasons) best prepares players for the professional ranks and the National Hockey League.
“I feel like the age difference is a little bit [between] college and juniors,” Mersch said. “[Junior-based players] have the opportunity every year to come to rookie camps and pro camps, and college guys don’t. Weigh it however you want, but I don’t really see that much of a difference. It’s still hockey. But one thing as the season goes on, the game differential in college and junior hockey and pro hockey, there’s quite a margin there, so I think that’s one big aspect.”
On any “eye opening” aspects of the professional game:
I kind of figured whether you’re jumping a level…going from midget to juniors or juniors now to the pro level, there are always guys who are bigger, faster and stronger, and I was able to see that and get some games and kind of see what it’s like before this season’s coming up.
On whether there were any weaknesses that were exposed in Manchester:
Yeah, and that’s all right. I think everybody’s got some spots in their games. The learning curve in hockey is tremendous and it keeps on going, so whatever you can do to add – obviously I learned some things, and I was able to work on them over the summer and maybe sharpen up those.
On his weaknesses:
Obviously my skating needs work. It’s going to be a never-ending thing for me. I know I continually have to work at it, and I understand that. I’m just attacking it, so that’s the main thing that comes out to me. The game’s always faster and you always have to know the next play in front of you. Just getting aware of that and being a pro as well and taking care of yourself, all those little things mean a lot.
On any encouragement in the progress shown by Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, who also had their skating called into question previously:
Yeah, I think everybody’s a little different. Their paths are always different. Those guys are great players, and if that’s what they had to do – and obviously they worked on it. I’m just trying to focus onm myself. But seeing other guys have success and working hard, that’s always a positive thing. But I’m focusing on myself and how I can help the team, whether it be Manchester or L.A., and just focus on that. Like you said, the LA organization really puts you in a good spot to help you develop in those areas.
On his 2013-14 season at Wisconsin and in Manchester:
It was a good experience, first of all. The guys were pretty welcoming and they obviously had a good team, and I was fortunate enough to come in and play with them.
On differences between the professional and college game:
The pro game is definitely different from college, where I came from. I learned a lot of new things and the guys gave me some pointers there, and the coaches did as well. It was a really good experience, and I’m fortunate enough to be able to go there.
On what he learned from the professional game:
Just the way you dress, the way you act as a pro in the locker room. Taking care of things around the rink and being on time a little bit earlier. Just little details like that really mean a lot at the pro level.
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