The Los Angeles Kings of the NHL have called up former Wisconsin Badger forward Michael Mersch on Wednesday, marking the former Badger’s first NHL appearance in his three-year pro career.
The Kings made the move after an injury to forward Kyle Clifford.
If Mersch suits up in a game for the Kings while Clifford is sidelined, he would be the first Badger alum this season to make his NHL debut. Wisconsin currently has the second most alumni in the NHL this season with 17 players who have played in at least one game.
Mersch, who earned All-American honors in his senior season at Wisconsin in 2013-14, is coming off a superb first full season in the AHL with the Kings’ affiliate the Manchester Monarchs, which are now the Ontario Reign. After finishing fourth on Manchester with his 45 points last year, Mersch has started this season on a blistering pace for Ontario. In just 19 games this season, he already has 12 goals and 15 points. His goal total is five more than the next closest player on the Reign and is good for fifth overall in the AHL.
The Kings drafted Mersch number-110 overall in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Mersch will wear number 49 and could make his NHL debut as early as Friday when the Kings travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins.
