Golden Knights players including center Ryan Carpenter (40) and defenseman Jon Merrill (15) celebrate the goal by Golden Knights center Cody Eakin during the third period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Like virtually everyone on the Golden Knights’ roster, Jon Merrill sought opportunity.
The 26-year-old defenseman battled to crack the lineup. He was caught in a numbers game, and while it would have been easy to be frustrated, Merrill never let that emotion affect him.