Georgii Merkulov has been lighting it up in the American Hockey League for the Providence Bruins with 17 goals, 25 assists and 42 points in 41 games heading into AHL All-Star weekend,
which starts tonight with the skills competition. This standout performance earned him a call-up to the NHL in late December to play with the big club where in four games Merkulov averaged 10:34 of ice time and finished with three shots and a plus-one rating.
Merkulov was very excited when he got the news he was going to the NHL and found his time in Boston to be a great experience. He acknowledged that the NHL game is faster, and he enjoyed the atmosphere around the team. Merkulov found the lifestyle in the NHL to be similar to Providence in that he spent most of his time in practice and was constantly around the team, which he enjoyed.
“It taught me to just stick with my game and earn every opportunity I get,” Merkulov told BSJ recently.
Merkulov, originally from Russia, was born in Ryazan but grew up three and a half hours northwest in Moscow as his parents wanted to find a better opportunity on the ice for him. Merkulov picked up and moved himself across the world to North America at 19 years old to pursue an opportunity to play in the NHL.
Merkulov believes that hockey is played at a faster pace in America and while adjusting to another country took a few months while he overcame the language barrier, he still finds time every day to FaceTime with his parents and girlfriend who remain in Russia.
Merkulov started in America playing in the United States Hockey League for the Youngstown Phantoms in Ohio, where he played for two seasons. Merkulov stayed in the Buckeye state to play one season of college hockey for Ohio State where he played with current Bruin Mason Lohrei.
“It’s nice to have him by my side since we were friends and go to the next level together,” Merkulov said of playing with Lohrei.
Merkulov finished his freshman season recording 20 goals, leading all NCAA freshman, and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and All-Big Ten First Team. Merkulov was signed by the Bruins as an undrafted free agent following one season at Ohio State in 2021-2022.
“I’ve never been drafted anywhere so I try to prove myself to others that I can play,” Merkulov explained.
After getting noticed in Providence, Merkulov was called up to the NHL and made his debut on December 30th versus the New Jersey Devils where he saw the ice for 15:08 and blocked two shots. Even though he had zeros across his offensive stat line, he still helped set up long offensive zone shifts with James Van Riemsdyk and Trent Frederic.
“It’s pretty special, a special time for you personally. You’re achieving your dreams since…I know he grew up in Russia, but his dream was to play in the NHL…he is laser-focused, his drive has been, probably, since he’s 14 to play in the NHL. He left home early to come across the United States,” Jim Montgomery told Boston.com on December 30th of Merkulov.
“My dad told me to play every game like it was my last game,” Merkulov told Boston.com. “Just enjoy it.”
Merkulov made a return to Ohio during his four-game stint in the NHL to face the Blue Jackets in Columbus with the Ohio State hockey team in attendance to watch Merkulov and Lohrei play.
“It was really cool. I didn’t know a lot of the guys because they came over with me or transferred, so I only knew a couple of friends, but they were really happy for me and I got to see them the day before, and Mason (Lohrei) and I went to campus to see the coaches on campus,” Merkulov talked about.
Merkulov was named the AHL player of the month for December and will participate in the all-star game in San Jose, February 4th and 5th (he’ll be in the Puck Control Relay, Pass and Score, and Breakaway Relay, NHL Network 8 p.m.; the game is 9 p.m. Monday).
If Merkulov continues to play at a high level down in Providence, keep an eye out for him to be called up again to the Bruins later this season.
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