Steelheads bring back Merchant

BOISE, Idaho – Forward Will Merchant has agreed to terms with the Idaho Steelheads for the 2019-20 season, returning to the team for his fourth season.

The Steelheads are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars and the American Hockey League's Texas Stars.

Merchant played 70 games between the Steelheads and Greenville Swamp Rabbits last season, posting 29 points (14g-15a). The Eagan, Minnestoa native was reacquired by the Steelheads from the Swamp Rabbits on March 5 and tallied seven points (4g-3a) through 13 games in Idaho to close the regular season.

The 25-year-old is marking his fourth season with the Steelheads and has played every professional season in Idaho since making his debut on Oct. 14, 2016. Over the last three seasons, Merchant boasts 123 points (52g-71a) over 209 games, with 101 points (42g-59a) over 152 games in a Steelheads uniform. In each of his two full seasons with the Steelheads, he has recorded 45-point seasons with a career-high 21 goals in 2016-17, and his return to Boise sparked excitement toward the end of last season.

Prior to joining the Steelheads, Merchant played four seasons with the University of Maine, posting 39 points (22g-17a) in 136 games, including 22 points (13g-9a) in 36 games during his senior season in 2015-16.