Features > Player Spotlight- Christian Merritt
Player Spotlight- Christian Merritt
by Melany Boulton, Generals Staff Writer
Player Spotlight Christian Merritt
Eugene, Or - Every Generals’ game day you can most likely find Christian Merritt at Subway ordering his favorite sandwich. The Generals’ forward from southern California explains that he is slightly superstitious and has to make the trip before every game. However, the routine appears to be working because Merritt ranks second in points on the Generals team and within the top 20 in the entire NORPAC conference.
Merritt joined the Generals from his Orange County Hockey Club’s U16 AAA team last season and has quickly become a valuable team member. During his first year with the Generals Merritt, who describes himself as a “speedy forward that creates havoc on the ice”, added 17 goals and 26 assists for the team in 44 games.
He’s played all 15 games during the 2010/2011 season and all ready has 10 goals, 11 assists, 21 points. “I expect myself to continue on the points path that I’m on right now and improve it,” Merritt says about his showing so far this season.
When asked what has been his most memorable experience with the Generals he easily answered the overtime win against Southern Oregon on November 6th.
“The team finally came together and as a captain it was nice to see everyone pull through and work hard to achieve a win.”
Saturday’s victory was needed for the Generals to end a three game losing streak and Merritt hopes the momentum from that win will carry over to this weekend’s upcoming games. Merritt says that in order for that to happen the team needs to, “remember the emotions of the game and try to carry that into practices.”
Merritt also has high expectations for the remainder of the Generals’ season. “I expect the team to start coming together nicely and having more consistent play out of the ice,” he says. He also has playoffs in mind, “I expect our team to make it to the playoffs and have a successful run this year.”
Eventually, Merritt hopes to move up to the NAHL but right now he’s enjoying his time in Eugene, although, he does admit to sometimes missing the southern California sunshine.