Merkley headlined lots of controversies ever since he was drafted by the San Jose Sharks back in 2018 (21st). After being drafted, the offensive defenseman was dropped from his OHL team due to attitude reasons and it went from bad to worst at that point.
Merkley then graduated to the Sharks in 2020 where he then requested a trade for a «lack of opportunity». After spending half a season within the Colorado Avalanche's organization, it was just announced that he had signed a one-year deal to play in Kunlun, China:
Merkley is off to the KHL after 24 points in 58 AHL outing. Has noted by the Red Star's release, the defenseman took part in 39 NHL games throughout his career.