DU's Mermis Scores First NHL Goal for Devils

Dakota Mermis (Denver) played just 19 games in his NCAA career. It took him 18 games to score his first NHL goal.

Mermis, 26, beat Jordan Binnington with a wrist shot from the left circle on Friday evening to help the host New Jersey Devils defeat the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, 4-2, at the Prudential Center. It was also the first time the Devils had beaten the Blues in 13 meetings.

A defenseman from Alton, Ill., Mermis played at DU during the 2012-13 season, notching a goal and three assists before leaving midway through the year to join London (OHL). He spent the next full season in London, before splitting the 2014-15 campaign between the Knights and Oshawa (OHL).

Mermis turned pro in 2015-16 with Springfield (AHL), then played most of the next three seasons with Tucson (AHL) while also making 10 scoreless NHL appearances with the Arizona Coyotes.

Mermis tallied three goals and 19 points in 53 games with Binghamton (AHL) this year before being called up to New Jersey early in 2020. In nine games to date with the parent Devils, he has a goal and three assists.