Fear the Fin · Sep 16, 2018
Storm Watch: Merkley already making an impression
Ryan Merkley is drawing high praise and lofty comparisons following the San Jose Sharks rookie tournament that took place over the second weekend of September, less than three months after the young defenseman was snagged with the 21st overall pick at the 2018 NHL Draft.
The man pumping the kid’s tires is Roy Sommer, the longtime head coach of San Jose’s AHL affiliate, who has seen his fair share of prospects come and go over the past two decades.
“I’ll tell you what, he’s something special, really,” Sommer said of Merkley after coaching him at the tournament, per The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz.
Sommer was so impressed that he invoked the name of a former standout blue liner in San Jose.