According to NHL.com, the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday signed Michigan junior defenseman Jon Merrill to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Merrill was a second-round pick (38th overall) of the Devils in the 2010 NHL draft.
“I’m leaning towards it’s going to be time for Jonny to move,” Michigan coach Red Berenson said Tuesday to annarbor.com. “I think [the Devils have] been really patient.”
The 21-year-old Merrill had two goals, 11 points and 14 penalty minutes in 21 games for the Wolverines this past year after missing the first half of the season with a fractured vertebra he sustained in an exhibition game on Oct. 9.
Merrill was a CCHA rookie of the year finalist in 2011 and in 82 career games, tallied 11 goals and 47 points.
On Friday, it was announced Merrill had signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL’s Albany Devils.
