Coyotes sign 1st-round pick Nick Merkley to 3-year, entry-level contract
Mathieu Belanger / REUTERS
The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Nick Merkley to a three-year, entry-level contract, general manager Don Maloney announced Thursday.
The 18-year-old recorded 20 goals and 90 points to lead the WHL's Kelowna Rockets in scoring last season, and finished sixth in league scoring.
He added 27 points in 19 playoff games en route to a WHL championship.
Merkley was drafted by the Coyotes in the first round (30th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft with a pick acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade involving center Antoine Vermette.