{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 2001)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox ice hockey biography | name = Dawson Mercer | image = Dawson Mercer (cropped).jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Mercer with the New Jersey Devils in 2022 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|10|27}} | birth_place = Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 179 | position = Forward | shoots = Right | league = NHL | team = New Jersey Devils | prospect_team = | prospect_league = | ntl_team = CAN | draft = 18th overall | draft_year = 2020 | draft_team = New Jersey Devils | career_start = 2021 | career_end = }} '''Dawson Mercer''' (born October 27, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 18th overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{cite web |last1=ROUMELIOTIS |first1=CHARLIE |title=2020 NHL Draft Profile: RW Dawson Mercer |date=September 29, 2020 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/blackhawks/2020-nhl-draft-profile-rw-dawson-mercer |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

==Early life== Mercer was born on October 27, 2001, in Carbonear, Newfoundland,<ref name="EP">{{cite web |title=Dawson Mercer |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/320305/dawson-mercer |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref> to parents Charlotte and Craig.<ref name="Mccarthy">{{cite web |last1=Mccarthy |first1=Brendan |title=NHL debut for Newfoundlander Dawson Mercer was a family affair |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/sports/nhl-debut-for-newfoundlander-dawson-mercer-was-a-family-affair-100646435/ |publisher=Saltwire |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> His father is a powerline technician while his mother manages a convenience store.<ref name="Kennedy">{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Ryan |title=New Jersey Gets a Beauty in Dawson Mercer |url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/new-jersey-gets-a-beauty-in-dawson-mercer |publisher=Sports Illustrated |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=October 14, 2020}}</ref> His father also coached in the Conception Bay North area and had a tryout with the American Hockey League’s St. John's Maple Leafs.<ref name="Mccarthy"/> Besides his father, both of his younger siblings also play ice hockey; his brother Riley Mercer is a goaltender while his sister Jessica Mercer is a defenceman.<ref name="MacLaren">{{cite web |last1=MacLaren |first1=Will |title=Mercer brothers keeping tradition of strong Newfoundlanders in the "Q" alive and well |url=https://theqmjhl.ca/video/mercer-brothers-keeping-tradition-of-strong-newfoundlanders-in-the-q-alive-and-well |publisher=Quebec Major Junior Hockey League |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=December 31, 2020}}</ref> His cousin Zachery Bennett also plays ice hockey.<ref name="cousin">{{cite web |title=Les cousins Mercer et Bennett : comme des frères |url=https://voltigeurs.ca/article/les-cousins-mercer-et-bennett-comme-des-freres |publisher=Drummondville Voltigeurs |access-date=October 19, 2021 |language=French |date=September 11, 2019}}</ref>

==Playing career==

===Junior=== Growing up in Newfoundland, Mercer played for the Tri Pen Ice U15 AAA in the Newfoundland Bantam AAA league.<ref name="EP"/> After recording 68 points in 24 games,<ref name="EP"/> Mercer chose to play prep hockey with the Bishop's College School under-18 varsity team at the age of 15.<ref name="Short">{{cite web |last1=Short |first1=Robin |title=Bay Roberts' Dawson Mercer well-prepped to be a QMJHL first-round pick |url=https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/sports/hockey/bay-roberts-dawson-mercer-well-prepped-to-be-a-qmjhl-first-round-pick-131848/ |publisher=Saltwire |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=June 4, 2017}}</ref> He chose to leave his home province in part to increase his playing ability and join his cousin.<ref name="sacrifice">{{cite news |last1=Dubé |first1=Kevin |title=Le sacrifice de Dawson Mercer |url=https://www.journaldequebec.com/2019/11/12/le-sacrifice-de-dawson-mercer |access-date=October 19, 2021 |publisher=Le Journal de Québec |date=November 12, 2019}}</ref> In his first season at Bishop, he finished third in scoring with 18 goals and 30 assists through 51 games to earn a high ranking by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Central Scouting.<ref name="Short"/> Mercer was eventually drafted eighth overall by the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the 2017 QMJHL draft.<ref>{{cite web |title=Repêchage 2017 |url=https://voltigeurs.ca/article/repechage-2017 |publisher=Drummondville Voltigeurs |access-date=October 18, 2021 |language=French |date=June 5, 2017}}</ref>

As a rookie in the QMJHL, Mercer recorded 26 points through 68 games.<ref name="EP"/> During the season, he was selected for Team Canada's Black U17 team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newfoundland trio will skate for Canada in world U17 tourney |url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-telegram-st-johns/20171019/281659665277476 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |publisher=The Telegram |date=October 19, 2017}}</ref> In the 2019–20 season, he finished with 60 points in 42 games and was nominated for the Michael Bossy Trophy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Habashi |first1=Jonathan |title=Mercer finaliste au trophée Michael-Bossy |url=https://www.journalexpress.ca/2020/03/31/dawson-mercer-finaliste-au-trophee-michael-bossy-voltigeurs-drummondville-sagueneens-chicoutimi-lhjmq-lnh/ |publisher=Journal Express |access-date=October 19, 2021 |language=French |date=March 31, 2020}}</ref>

===Professional=== On December 24, 2020, Mercer was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Mercer Agrees to Terms on ELC |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-mercer-agrees-to-terms-on-elc/c-319884054 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=December 24, 2020}}</ref> He made his NHL debut the following season on October 15, 2021, against the Chicago Blackhawks. During the game, he recorded his first career NHL assist on a goal by Andreas Johnsson.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bogart |first1=Catherine |title=Plenty of 'Firsts' in Mercer's Debut |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/plenty-of-firsts-in-mercers-debut/c-326907730 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> On October 19, Mercer scored his first NHL goal against the Seattle Kraken.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mercer Scores First NHL Goal as Devils Defeat Kraken|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/mercer-scores-first-nhl-goal-as-devils-defeat-kraken/c-327012904|access-date=2021-10-20|website=NHL.com|date=2021-10-19}}</ref> He would finish his rookie season with 42 points, and led the team in games played with 82.

On April 27, 2023, Mercer scored his first NHL playoff goal against the New York Rangers, in a 4–0 shutout in game 5 of the 2023 playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haula leads Devils past Rangers 4-0 for 3-2 series lead |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401541597 |website=ESPN |access-date=May 18, 2023 |date=April 27, 2023}}</ref>

Following the final year of his entry-level contract in 2023–24, a season in which he recorded 20 goals and 33 points while playing in all 82 games for the Devils, Mercer remained a restricted free agent until training camp had already started. On September 20, 2024, after missing the first practice of camp, he was signed to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $4 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Jersey Devils sign RFA Dawson Mercer to three-year, $12M deal |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/new-jersey-devils-sign-rfa-dawson-mercer-to-three-year-12m-deal-1.2177020 |website=The Sports Network |access-date=September 20, 2024 |date=September 20, 2024}}</ref>

==International play== {{MedalTableTop|name=}} {{MedalSport|Men's ice hockey}} {{MedalCountry|{{ih|CAN}}}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{MedalSilver|2022 Finland|}} {{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}} {{MedalGold|2020 Czech Republic|}} {{MedalSilver|2021 Canada|}} {{MedalBottom}} Mercer made his international debut with the Canadian national junior team at the 2020 World Junior Championships, winning a gold medal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Masters |first1=Mark |title=Touted as Newfoundland's 'Next One,' Mercer aims to emulate Bergeron |date=June 4, 2020 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/touted-as-newfoundland-s-next-one-dawson-mercer-aims-to-emulate-patrice-bergeron-1.1483220 |website=TSN |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> He rejoined Canada for 2021 World Junior Championships, held in a bubble in Edmonton as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. They reached the final for a second consecutive year, but were defeated by the United States. Mercer reflected that the experience of a tournament with no fans in the arena was a "unique situation," one that he felt was "going to be remembered in history."<ref>{{cite web |title=Newhook, Mercer reflect on representing Canada at world junior hockey tournament |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/newhook-mercer-team-canada-1.5867836 |website=CBC Sports |date=January 10, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2024}}</ref>

Following the 2021–22 NHL regular season, with the Devils failing to qualify for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, Mercer accepted an invitation to make his senior national team debut at the 2022 World Championship. He was one of the most effective faceoff men in the tournament, helping Canada reach the event final.<ref>{{cite web |title=7 truths about Finland vs. Canada |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm/news/36555/7_truths_to_ponder_about_canada_vs_finland |last=Aykroyd |first=Lucas |website=IIHF.com |date=May 28, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2024}}</ref> They were defeated by Finland, taking the silver medal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Finland Wins 2022 Men's World Hockey Championship Gold|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/finland-wins-2022-mens-world-hockey-championship-gold|last=Ellis|first=Steven|magazine=The Hockey News|date=May 29, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2024}}</ref> Two years later, Mercer rejoined Canada for the 2024 World Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard, Celebrini highlight Canada's roster at the World Championship|url=https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/connor-bedard-macklin-celebrini-highlight-canada-s-roster-at-the-world-championship-1.2114972|website=TSN|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=May 7, 2024}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2017–18 | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 61 || 11 || 15 || 26 || 25 | 10 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 68 || 30 || 34 || 64 || 50 | 16 || 5 || 11 || 16 || 8 |- | 2019–20 | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 26 || 18 || 24 || 42 || 21 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Chicoutimi Saguenéens | QMJHL | 16 || 6 || 12 || 18 || 4 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2020–21 | Chicoutimi Saguenéens | QMJHL | 23 || 19 || 17 || 36 || 6 | 9 || 6 || 11 || 17 || 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 || 17 || 25 || 42 || 28 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2022–23 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 || 27 || 29 || 56 || 14 | 12 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 || 20 || 13 || 33 || 29 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2024–25 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 || 19 || 17 || 36 || 16 | 5 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 || 20 || 22 || 42 || 33 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 410 !! 103 !! 106 !! 209 !! 120 ! 17 !! 5 !! 4 !! 9 !! 10 |}

===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2017 | Canada Black | U17 | 7th | 5 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020 | Canada | WJC | {{gold1}} | 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- | 2021 | Canada | WJC | {{silver2}} | 7 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022 | Canada | WC | {{silver2}} | 10 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 0 |- | 2024 | Canada | WC | 4th | 9 || 3 || 1 || 4 || 4 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 19 ! 4 ! 4 ! 8 ! 2 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Senior totals ! 19 !! 3 !! 6 !! 9 !! 4 |}

==Awards and honors== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3"|QMJHL |- | Guy Carbonneau Trophy | 2021 | <ref>{{cite web |title=Phillip Danault announces the 2021 Guy-Carbonneau Trophy winner |url=https://theqmjhl.ca/video/phillip-danault-announces-the-2021-guy-carbonneau-trophy-winner |website=theqmjhl.ca |access-date=September 6, 2021 |date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Alexander Holtz | title = New Jersey Devils first-round draft pick | years = 2020 | after = Shakir Mukhamadullin}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mercer, Dawson}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen Category:Bishop's College School alumni Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Category:Canadian ice hockey forwards Category:Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) players Category:Drummondville Voltigeurs players Category:Ice hockey people from Newfoundland and Labrador Category:NHL first-round draft picks Category:New Jersey Devils draft picks Category:New Jersey Devils players