Mercer Achieved Goal, and Then Some | PODCAST

Dawson Mercer had one goal in mind when he attended the 2021 Prospect Tournament last September: a final destination in New Jersey.
"I wanted to make sure I had a good rookie tournament, pushed toward having a good preseason and making that opening night roster and making sure I kept my spot on the team," Mercer told the Speak of the Devils podcast. "As the games started rolling in and I was the guy playing them all, that was a goal of mine. That was a pretty big accomplishment. As a young guy I'm pretty proud of being able to dress up for all of them. I'd like to do that for years to come also."
Playing in all 82 games for the Devils was a major accomplishment. In fact, the 20-year-old was the only Devils player to appear in a full 82. On top of that he contributed 17 goals and 42 points.
"I loved it. I got to play in all 82. It was a fun season," he said looking back on the year. "I'm really happy overall with how my game turned out and my season. I pretty much can't wait for next year."

Of course, the biggest highlights of his season came at the beginning and all in a row. He made his NHL debut in the season opener Oct. 15 against Chicago. In that same game he chipped in his first-career NHL point. In the following game, Oct. 19 against Seattle, Mercer notched his first-career NHL goal. And did it all with his family and friends in the stands.
"My first assist was the first game. Goal the next game. My family was here for that full week," he said. "They were there for that full stretch. My first week in the NHL was pretty special."
There were certainly some ups and downs throughout the campaign, but Mercer navigated them. And before he even realized, he had accomplished his goal coming into the season of earning a spot with the Devils, and staying there.
"Started those first few games and playing more. I started getting more used to it, more comfortable," Mercer said. "I felt like I belonged here. I felt good going out there every night and playing my game, doing what I do best. It got pretty comfortable after those first couple of weeks."
Here are some other topics discussed on the podcast:
New Jersey Devils Official Podcast
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Dawson Mercer | Speak of the Devils