AOTW: The puck stops here: United’s Mercer has developed into one of state’s top goaltenders
NOT ON MY WATCH: Rochester United senior Ian Mercer returned to the high school ice this winter and has turned some heads as one of the state's top goaltenders. Courtesy Photo | Rochester United Hockey.
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
ROCHESTER — In the same manner that Ian Mercer goes latteral to dig a ground ball out of the dirt near second base, he goes right, he goes left and he goes wherever he needs to stop the puck from going into the net out on the ice.
Such is the life of Ian Mercer, who has garnered the reputation of being one of the state’s top goaltenders in the high school hockey circuit along with being a fine baseball infielder.
After not competing at the high school level for hockey for nearly two years, Mercer returned to the high school hockey scene and has made his mark this winter.
“He’s the best one around,” admitted Clarkston coach Bryan Krygier. “The kid has had an incredible year.
“Our concern is Ian Mercer,” said Klint Robert, whose Lake Orion squad will face Mercer and Rochester United at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in a Division 1 regional semifinal at The Onyx in Rochester. “I think he’s one of the best goaltenders in the state.”
Mercer’s numbers speak for themselves. A starting second baseman on Rochester Adams’ baseball team that won league, district and regional titles last spring, Mercer has become one of the state’s top goaltenders as well. In fact, his numbers have more than rewritten the record books for the Rochester United hockey program, now a decade old, and are as good as any goaltender in Michigan.
Playing a rugged league and non-league schedule, Mercer has logged most of the minutes in goal for United, posting an 11-8-3 record with four shutouts. He is closing in on 600 saves on the year, has a sterling 1.60 goals-against-average and his save percentage is an eye-popping .946 — and he’s for a starting goaltender.
Mercer, who is averaging over 30 saves again, turned back 52 of 55 shots this season in a 3-3 tie against state powerhouse Midland, which is one of his numerous single-season school records.
Mercer also has a 41-save effort in a 1-1 overtime tie against Plymouth and on several occasions turned back at least 35 shots in a game.
“We’re just a good defensive team,” noted Mercer, deflecting some of the credit to his teammates. “I think we are playing good defense, we can stay with most teams. It’s been a lot of fun. We’re playing above five-hundred now and I’m holding my team in there. Our defense is good. Our strength is stopping the puck.”
Because of Mercer’s stellar play in net, Rochester has posted a winning record this season and has routinely stayed in games it perhaps shouldn’t have.
“Ian has matured a lot,” said Rochester United coach Dave Underdale, whose team graduated most of its key offensive players, making Mercer’s return to the high school rink even more timely. “We were upset when he left during his sophomore year. We still had a great year without him, but it’s hard to see a kid leave in the middle of the season.
“Now, he’s been great (this year). He’s kept us in a lot of games against some really good teams,” added Underdale. “He’s worked hard and has made some great saves. I remember in one game this season we gave up a goal 24 seconds into the game against Lake Orion and they didn’t score again. We lost 1-0, but Lake Orion is a great offensive team and he kept us in it.
“There have been several games where he made a huge difference.”
Although small in stature, the 5-foot-7, 145-pound Mercer made Rochester United’s varsity his freshman year, as one of the team’s two goaltenders. The same happened his sophomore year, although his high school season didn’t last that long.
Mercer opted to return to his travel team, just one third of the way home though the 2008-09 high school season.
“It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make,” offered Mercer. “I was talking to all kinds of people. I was asking some of my baseball coaches their opinions on what I should do and it wasn’t even baseball I was talking about. I had a lot of close friends on the hockey team, but I had to do what’s best for me. I really wanted to play at the next level, so I made the decision to go play with the Metro Jets.
The Metro Jets are a premier CSHL Junior A Tier III travel team, where Mercer quickly began to excel and turn some heads. He stayed there during his junior season, as well.
What made the decision more painful was that United has its best season to date during Mercer’s sophomore season, winning league and regional titles and advancing to the Division 1 state quarterfinals. Last winter, Rochester United reached the regional finals.
This winter, Mercer had to make another decision. He opted to return to high school hockey, so he could also play both fall travel baseball and again play baseball for Adams in the spring.
Having Mercer between the pipes during the winter months has been quite a blessing for Rochester United, which has played better the second half of the campaign after graduating most if its key offensive players.
“I just try to do whatever I can to help this team,” said Mercer.
In an era of specialization pressure, playing baseball and hockey has helped develop both games. He wasn’t about to give one up.
“I think it helps some,” he said of being a multi-sport athlete. “There are some similarities with baseball and hockey. The hand-eye coordination and (crouching) down to stop the puck or field the ball (is similar). Squaring up and taking the ball in the chest is like taking the puck off the chest. It’s a lot alike. But there’s nothing quite like the ice.”
Mercer is uncommitted for next year, meaning he hasn’t made his final decision in terms of playing either sport in college or going to play junior-level hockey with the hopes of gaining a college roster spot a couple of years down the road.
For now, Mercer is just hoping to finish strong with his senior season of hockey, then step onto the baseball diamond at Adams and enjoy another fine season. He will also play summer baseball with the Oakland Bulldogs.
“I am just trying to enjoy my senior year,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun so far. I realized after last year that I wanted to play high school hockey, then I would (also) be able to play fall (travel) baseball and help put some time into that sport as well.
“I do love both sports,” he continued. “There’s a thrill about being out there. I love cutting down the angles, making the big save …”
That’s perhaps his biggest attribute, making the big save. On the ice, Ian Mercer has redefined the term: ‘The puck stops here.’
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Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, Game Results / Features, High School, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams
