For some players, it takes a lifetime to reach the pinnacle of professional hockey. But less than two months after making his professional debut for the Monsters, rookie forward Justin Mercier earned a call-up to Lake Erie’s NHL affiliate, the Colorado Avalanche.

Without question, the highlight of Mercier’s season came in early February, when he notched his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators. In total, Mercier, a former Miami University of Ohio RedHawk, appeared in nine games with the Avalanche, recording two points (1G,1A).

By season’s end, Mercier was second in rookie scoring on the Monsters only to Ryan Stoa, as the native of Erie, Pa., recorded 23 points (13G, 10A) in 64 games.

A sixth round selection of Colorado in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Mercier will be counted on for an expanded role and more minutes as he moves into his second professional season in 2010-11.

Highlights:

• November 6th, 2009: Recorded first point as a professional, an assist, vs. Grand Rapids.
 
• December 9th, 2009: Made NHL debut in 3-2 loss against the Minnesota Wild.

• January 1st, 2010: Registered first multi-point and multi-goal game of the season and his professional career (2G) against Hamilton; notched game-winning goal.

• January 3rd, 2010: Recorded second multi-point game of the season (2G, 1A) vs. Grand Rapids.

• January 22nd, 2010: Registered third multi-point game of the season (2G, 1A) vs. Texas; recorded game-winning goal in overtime.

• January 29th, 2010: Recorded fourth multi-point game of the season (1G, 1A) vs. Toronto.
 
• March 7th, 2010: Notched first multi-assist game of the season (3A) at Chicago.


2009-10 Player Rewind...Darren Haydar
2009-10 Player Rewind...Brett Skinner
2009-10 Player Rewind...Marty Sertich
2009-10 Player Rewind...Brian Fahey
2009-10 Player Rewind...Tyler Weiman
2009-10 Player Rewind...T.J. Hensick
2009-10 Player Rewind...John Grahame
2009-10 Player Rewind...Phil Dupuis
2009-10 Player Rewind...Brian Willsie