Look Back: Dawson Mercer

Throughout the summer of 2023, we'll take a glance back at some of the Devils players and their 2022-23 season. This week we have a look back at Dawson Mercer's sophomore NHL season:

NHL SEASON: 2nd overall, 2nd with New Jersey

2022-23 STATS:82 GP 27 G, 29 A, 56 PTS

LOOKING BACK:

Dawson Mercer's sophomore season in the NHL he eclipsed his rookie year, putting up career numbers, ending up just short of a 30-goal season, scoring 27 goals this year compared to his 17 in 2021-22.

Again this season, Mercer displayed what makes him such a valuable member of this Devils roster - his versatility. Mercer was used up and down the lineup this season, sometimes in a finesse top-line role, others in a grind-it-out third-line role. He finished the year fourth in points (56) behind Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes. His 10 power play points ranked fourth on the team as well, and on Feb. 23, he scored the first overtime-winning goal of his career in a game against the L.A. Kings.

Just as the regular season was winding down, Mercer had yet another first in his career, scoring three goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins for his first career hat trick, including the game-winner in a 5-1 victory.

And in just his second NHL season, it seems the best is yet to come with Mercer as he continues to find his stride in the NHL. On March 3, wrote his name in the franchise history books scoring a goal against the Golden Knights for a goal in his eighth consecutive game, which tied Paul Gardner (1977-78 w/ COL) for the longest goal streak in franchise history.

NOTEWORTHY:

Mercer has begun his NHL career playing in all 164 regular games over the course of two seasons. The 21-year-old Newfoundlander has appeared in all 82 games in each of his NHL seasons.

On Feb 25, Mercer played in his 141st consecutive game since his rookie debut to pass Scott Gomez for most consecutive games to start a career with the New Jersey Devils.

To make the occasion even more special, Gomez was at Prudential Center that night and gave Mercer the game puck.

QUOTE 'EM:

"The playoffs are what we've been working towards for years now. So that brings me to the favor. Look - you all make us go. When the building is rocking, it just gives us that little extra push. So if you don't mind doing us a big favor tonight: Please go ahead and feel free to absolutely lose your minds when that puck drops. We don't care if you're in the building or watching from Czechia or Switzerland at 3 a.m. We want to hear you.

I know what we have here. You know what we have here. This feels like the start of something special." - Dawson Mercer, The Players Tribune](https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/dawson-mercer-new-jersey-devils-nhl-hockey)