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Extremely honored to announce my commitment to The University of Michigan! Thanks to everyone who made it possible! Go Blue! 〽️
— Steven Merl (@Stevieweve) November 9, 2015
The center position has become one of dire need recently after Berenson lost two to the NHL a year ago, another to the OHL and will lose a fourth to graduation at the end of this year.
The coaching staff helped address that earlier today when the Wolverines received a commitment from Bloomington Thunder center Steven Merl for the 2016 season.
Merl is nineteen years of age and is listed at 6'3", 200 pounds; he garnered NHL attention two years ago reaching 170 on the CSS Final Draft Rankings before going undrafted. After joining the Muskegon Lumberjacks from the Belle Tire program Merl posted a 3-4--7 scoring line and 54 penalty minutes through 33 games before being traded to the Thunder. He has two assists in twelve games this season.
Merl was a teammate of current Wolverines Cooper Marody and Joe Cecconi in Muskegon and is a teammate of goaltender recruit Hayden Lavigne.