AMERKS CAPTAIN MICHAEL MERSCH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Calder Cup winner hangs up his skates after 11 pro seasons, including the last four in Rochester
Sep 28, 2024Rochester Americans captain and veteran forward Michael Mersch has announced his retirement from professional hockey, ending an 11-year playing career with more than 600 games in both the National Hockey League and American Hockey League.
“I am so grateful to have finished my career with such a storied franchise,” said Mersch. “Thank you to the entire Rochester Americans and Buffalo Sabres organization for making our time together these last four years so special.”
A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Mersch appeared in 220 career games over parts of four seasons in the red, white and blue, recording 156 points on 66 goals and 90 assists. Named team captain ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, Mersch added 15 points (8+7) in 24 postseason contests while leading Rochester to three straight playoff berths, including an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023, the franchise’s deepest playoff run in nearly 20 years.
His best season as an Amerk came during the 2021-22 campaign when he set career-highs in all offensive categories while finishing tied for second on the team in goals (26) and third in points (54).
Over 11 pro seasons, Mersch skated in 597 career AHL games between the Amerks, Texas Stars, Ontario Reign and Manchester Monarchs, totaling 401 points (188+1213) while also notching 50 points (24+26) in 68 Calder Cup Playoff games.
Additionally, Mersch, a five-time 20-goal scorer in the AHL who won a Calder Cup with Manchester in 2015, appeared in 17 NHL contests with the Los Angeles Kings, tallying a goal and a pair of assists.
Prior to turning pro, Mersch completed a four-year collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA), where he registered 120 points (67+53) in 157 games with the Badgers from 2010-2014. As a senior, he was named an All-Big Ten First Team selection and earned AHCA West Second-Team All-American honors.
He was originally drafted by the Kings in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.