Projection: Middle Six Winger

Tools: Finishing Touch, Tactical Handling, Creativity

Development Opportunities: Forechecking Consistency, Lower Body Strength

Merrill is a shifty and skilled winger whose handling and confidence help him drive offence. He’s highly creative in small areas, showing the ability to evade defenders with deceptive puck touches, spot open gaps in the defence, and get pucks to the interior consistently. While he leads with his skill, there is a tactical and methodical approach to his game, where he is always spotting the right moment or hole to attack to make his mark. Off-puck, Finley is always hovering around the offensive zone smartly, looking to find space, and if he gets a pass in a dangerous area, he will convert more often than not.

Like many in this range, Merrill will need to get bigger, faster, and stronger to fully hit his stride at the OHL level, but there is a really solid bet here to land a quality roster piece. The clever off-puck play and finishing should provide some offensive value, with the creativity and handling side offering the top end potential. A crafty, smart winger who finds ways to make plays is always useful in a lineup, and Merrill fits that mold.

Finley Merrill is a smart and strong forward for the Hill, he combines plenty of two-way and powerforward elements to make things happen when he is on the ice. He drives up the wing well with strong rushes, driving the opposing net and battling in the offensive end of the ice. He is able to carry the puck in transition and helps to set up his teammates when he gets into position, utilizing his slick puck skills and passing ability to set up teammates. He finished the game with a sole assist but easily could have had more.

Merrill was explosive and dynamic offensively throughout this game. He played with tons of quickness, shifting in and out of pressure, and having all the handling to maneuver the puck and weave around checks. He was confident on the puck, always trying to make plays, constantly at the heart of offensive sequences, generating chances for Hill Academy. He made his mark through his abilities with the puck and a desire to drive the middle or the net, finding ways to attack openings for quality looks. Finley scored two in this one, both off quick shots picking the top corners, showcasing a lethal shot and finishing touch. The Silver Stick was a great outing for Merrill and this was one of his better games showcasing his explosiveness and skill to control the game.

Hill couldn’t muster up much in this one, but of the chances they did create, Finley was typically involved. I thought he played a highly creative game, every time he touched the puck he seemed to be looking to make something happen, often flexing his handling to evade defenders and try to attack. It was just a solid showing of offensive tools, from his hands to clever passing that made Finley pop in this one, driving a good chunk of his team’s offence. He set up their lone goal, entering the zone with control and moving a puck back to a trailer linemate who ripped it home.

The Hill Academy duo of Merrill and Jaravata caught my eye at the WSI a little while ago, and this was again the case with Finley having some good moments in the SCTA games I watched. His game revolved around his non-stop motor, shiftiness, and confidence to make plays with the puck on his stick. Merrill was constantly flying at top speed, challenging defenders 1-on-1 with his hands, and always looking to make something happen. He never seemed to back down from an opportunity to flex his skills and attempt a high-end play to try to get to the middle lane.

Merrill had some nice flashes, using his quick hands and shifty skating to evade pressure all over the ice. While there were some nice sequences in open ice, I thought he was highly effective in small areas, always having the crafty move to skirt a check and keep play flowing in the offensive. Finley just seemed to have the tools to problem solve himself out of anything, making him hard to contain. He scored one of his team’s two goals, burying a short-side goal off a turnover from the slot.

Merrill was the pulse for this Hill team, playing with a high level of intensity and pacing play with his honey badger type game. His feet never stopped moving and his willingness to punch over his weight class was an element I respected as he was all over the ice, engaged and often fortuitous in battles he involved himself in. As a result, few matched his will and drive in key areas of the ice and partnered with his skill, he was at the center of many high danger chances. He’s a quick thinker who has a lot of natural skill and often finds himself in areas where he can help others benefit with his slick passing ability and his knack for getting shots on net.

Merrill was a puck magnet all tournament, during every puck battle it seemed as if he would somehow come up with the loose puck. This was a testament to him always keeping his feet moving when around the action. Finley showed some nice first step acceleration up the wall before cutting quickly inside to the middle of the ice. This led to some nice scoring chances from high danger areas.