Brett Merner (centre) scored his first BCHL goal on Feb. 6 in Surrey. The first year Clipper is making a name for himself as a rookie on his hometown team. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Hockey at Home

VIDEO: Hometown Merner finding regular role as first year Clipper

Feb 8, 2022 | 4:35 PM

NANAIMO — Brett Merner has started his junior hockey career in the city where he grew up.

The 18-year-old is the second youngest player on the team and one of only two players born in 2004.

In a league where many first year defenceman can struggle to stay in the lineup, Merner has appeared in 36 of 38 games.

“All you can hope for as a rookie is to be in the lineup, and I’ve been in it most of the time. I feel like I’m getting more comfortable all the time so I’ve been pretty happy with it.”

Merner scored his first BCHL goal on Sunday, Feb. 6 in a 3-2 shootout loss in Surrey.

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It was a shot from the blueline through traffic and brought the team back from a 1-0 deficit. His teammates made sure to secure him the puck from his first goal as a Clipper.

Merner knows most junior hockey players don’t get to play in their home town.

He has a pride in the team which runs very deep.

“Every day throwing on that jersey probably means a little more than it does for the guy next to you. It’s been pretty special and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”

Nanaimo coach Darren Naylor said Merner is a player who makes very few mistakes and his ice time is only going to increase.

“He’s mature for his age and he’s going to be fun to watch over the next couple of years. We’ve brought him along on the apprenticeship program where we want him to learn the game without a lot of pressure,” Naylor said.

CLIP NOTES:

Nanaimo played three games in three days on the Feb. 4-6 weekend losing 6-2 in Chilliwack, winning 5-2 in Surrey and falling 3-2 to the Eagles in a shootout.

Max Itagaki is on a three game point streak and has points in ten of the eleven Clipper games in 2022.

Sean Donaldson returned from a three game suspension on Sunday and notched an assist against Surrey. Nanaimo’s leading scorer has 48 points on the season and a personal five game point streak.

Affiliate goaltender Merik Erickson made 33 saves and was named first star in his first ever Nanaimo Clipper start, a 5-2 win on Saturday, Feb. 5.

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