Fresh off winning gold at the World Junior Championships, Drummondville forward Dawson Mercer will have a new home when he returns to Canada this week.
The 2001-born Newfoundland native, a 4.5-star player that is eligible for this summer’s NHL Draft, Mercer was traded to Chicoutimi by the Voltigeurs on Monday, who received a haul for the prospect.
Chicoutimi, which is currently in second place in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, sent a total of six draft picks to Drummondville, including three first-round picks. The Voltigeurs will receive first-round picks in 2020, 2021 and 2022 while also receiving second-round picks in 2020 and 2021 and a fourth-round pick in 2022.
In our December NHL Draft rankings, we had Mercer projected as a late first-round pick.
“A highly skilled winger who has the ability to score goals,” our scouts said. “Can beat defenders 1-on-1 and can create grade-A scoring opportunities out of thin air. Dawson is very dangerous on the line rush, reads the defenders gaps very well and can fire his shots through screens or defender’s legs. He is strong on the puck with the ability to spin-off and attacks the net. A high-end prospect who has the skills to be a scorer at the highest level.”
In 26 games this season, Mercer has 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points. Last season Mercer had 64 points in 68 games as a 17-year-old (he’s a late-’01).
