N.L.'s Riley Mercer signs NHL contract with Minnesota Wild

Alex Kennedy · CBC News

· Posted: Apr 25, 2025 6:37 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 minutes ago

Riley Mercer of Bay Roberts has signed an entry-level declaration with the NHL's Minnesota Wild, adding to Newfoundland and Labrador's presence successful the large leagues — and joining his brother, Dawson.

Mercer, 21, played past play successful the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

He was 1 of the league's best, ranking 2nd successful wins and starring the league successful prevention percent and shutouts connected the mode to a league championship. He's also the franchise person successful games and minutes played, wins, shutouts and shootout wins.

The undrafted goalie's declaration begins adjacent season.

"Obviously it's a small spot surreal," Bo Bennett, Mercer's uncle, told CBC News Friday night. He says the household is overjoyed.

"Riley has recovered his mode connected his own, and done hard enactment and determination. It wasn't each roses and sunshine, and he's had his grinds, no uncertainty astir that. And we're ace arrogant of him. He deserves it."

Bennett said helium sees Mercer arsenic a bully acceptable for the Wild, and is acceptable to bring his determination and enactment ethic to the team. 

The household adjacent got to beryllium with Mercer virtually arsenic helium signed the declaration earlier this week.

"We bash the radical Facetime. The full family, each of us. And, you know, helium signed his declaration with each of america connected Facetime the different night," helium said.

"It's breathtaking times, you know? You consciousness similar you're going to burst."

Mercer's brother, Dawson, was drafted by the New Jersey Devils 18th wide successful 2020. He's established himself arsenic a cardinal endowment connected the roster.

The 2 person faced disconnected successful the QMJHL before, but Bennett said he's anxious to spot it astatine the apical level soon — adjacent if it's a stressful experience.

"The astir accent is going to be, for us, volition beryllium for Riley to bash well," he said.

"Because Riley is the goaltender, 'It's ever the goalie's fault," helium added with a laugh.

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