Rookies Mercier, Johnson join Adirondack

Glens Falls, N.Y. - The Adirondack Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, announced that they have signed forward Pierre-Luc Mercier and defenseman Stephen Johnson to contracts for the 2017-18 season.

Mercier appeared in 157 games in his collegiate career at Bowling Green University, where he amassed 76 points (22g-54a) in four seasons of play. The 24-year-old forward collected at least 16 points in each of his four seasons with the Falcons, including a career-high 25 points as a sophomore (8g-17a) as he led the team in assists. A native of Montreal, Mercier helped lead Bowling Green to its first-ever appearance in the WCHA Championship Game in 2017 as he netted four points (1g-3a) in five WCHA playoff games.

Johnson, 24, begins his professional career with the Thunder after four seasons at SUNY-Oswego, where he collected 67 points (18g-49a) in 109 games played. Johnson’s total ranks fourth in Oswego history in points by a defenseman and his 30 points as a senior were tops both on the Lakers and in the SUNYAC amongst blueliners. Johnson was named as the SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season and was named an All-American by both the AHCA (first team) and the USCHO (second team).