Lucas Mercuri (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
2020 NHL Draft Right Wing Rankings, May 2020: Lucas was Neutral Zone’s 29th rated right wing in Neutral Zone’s 2020 NHL draft May rankings. He moved up from #32.
NCAA: Recruiting News, May 2020: There’s also a big recruit back on the market after Lucas Mercuri de-committed from Vermont. Mercuri, who is from Quebec, originally committed to former UVM head coach Kevin Sneddon; he played for the Salisbury School this past season and is scheduled to play for Des Moines in the USHL next season. “Mercuri is a big strong forward with a brain,” said our scouts. “He finds the quiet areas off of the cycle very naturally. On line rushes he reads the defensmen’s gaps very well and will not force plays, but instead takes what is given and makes the opposition pay. His cannon of a shot is accurate and he can fire it through screens while his feet are moving. At this point he is almost too strong physically for NE Prep competition and appears ready for Junior Hockey.”
Some standout forwards from the 2019 Nationals & how they’ve developed over the past 12 months, April 2020: “I honestly loved how Lucas played and competed during the prep season. He didn’t cheat and was a real catalyst for Salisbury winning their Championship. He’s got to continue working on his first step, but he has a chance to be a top 9 NHL option when he turns pro.” said Ian Moran
New England Prep Players on NZ’s 2020 NHL Draft Watch List, March 2020: “Big boi” – Simply, Lucas put the team first. It was obvious that winning meant more than anything else to him. “Feet v D” – Dexter is a skating team that thrived all season on speed & their transition. Lucas had no issues with the smaller athletic team and there were a few times that he pulled away from from backchecking Dexter forwards. Big Boi is right.
February NHL Draft Rankings: Lucas was ranked #173 in Neutral Zone’s February draft rankings.
USHL Showcase U18, November 2019: Lucas is a towering prep forward who also would have fit in nicely playing in the USHL games going on a few miles north. He started off his prep hockey career with a massive first campaign which he will likely build on this season with an even more dominant performance and that pretty much tells the story of what he did during this showcase: dominate. He was too big and too strong for the opposition to handle at this level: they simply were whacking away at his legs trying to get to the puck but simply couldn’t do it. He was incredibly strong both in front of the net and along the walls. Unsurprisingly he was able to put a ton of force behind his shot using all of his mass which made him even more dangerous. He also was smart at the netfront not just parking himself there but knowing when to attack and when to pull back looking for more options. He will be an absolute menace to defend at the prep level this season as one of the elder skatesmen. Grade: A-, College: Vermont
U16 USA Hockey Nationals, May 2019: If NZ was picking a tournament MVP Mercuri would win hands down. A Quebec native who went from a raw, high ceiling prospect to one of the most dominate players in prep hockey as an ’02 this past season. He has all the tools one is looking for in a power forward; size, reach, toughness, soft hands, puck protection ability, hockey sense and scorers touch. He compiled a team high 12 points with 6 goals and 6 assists and was always around the puck. He played center and was quick on draws, he boxed out around his net front and supported his defenseman down low in the zone. He is a mature player who thinks the game, makes smart puck decisions as evidenced by the team playing him at the point on the power play. His reach and size allow him to drive wide on defenders and power his way to the net where he made nifty passes in tight or got pucks to the net. He scored a really nice snap shot goal in the slot where he had his head up, read the goalie and fired it low stick side beating him clean. His puck touch is excellent and he can make little 5 foot saucer passes in tight over defenders sticks and he can fire a cross ice 60 ft pass on the tape in stride. He had several cross slot assist off the rush but he also generated offense off the cycle, from behind the net and on broken plays. It’s rare for a player of his size to combine the skill, sense and goal scoring ability. A major prospect who has gotten better and better every viewing and looks to have NHL upside. College: Vermont
Flood Marr Tournament, Jauary 2019: Mercuri is an exciting prospect who was drafted in the second round of the QMJHL draft despite making it known that he had NCAA aspirations (would have gone top 10, maybe top 5, if he was Q bound). He has a big, athletic frame which can add more weight without slowing him down and he has deceptively smooth hands and vision. He showed both his physical prowess here; he was tough, he threw his weight around, he powered through checks and got pucks to the net. He also showed some speed, going hard-north south up ice and has soft hands, can make plays both in traffic and in space and sees the ice really well for a power forward. High ceiling prospect who was their best forward at times throughout the weekend as an ’02 rookie and scored all four goals for Salisbury in their championship win over Andover. He needs to continue to get stronger and improve his first step quickness and pace of play but all the tools are there to be a special player. College: Vermont Grade: A-
HPHL/Beast Showcase U16, October 2018: Lucas had committed to Vermont shortly before the event and showed well here. He is a big body that plays a tough, physical game. He uses his strength and size to play through contract. At his best driving the puck wide and getting to the net. Also excels down low and is tough to contain along the walls. He is direct and plays with an edge around the net. Should have a productive season on the prep circuit this year. Grade: B+ College: Vermont
ECC U16 Labor Day Showcase, September 2018: Lucas is a Quebec native who will be coming down to play for Salisbury this coming season. He played a strong power forward game for Yale using a pro-ready frame of 6’2 183. He uses his big body to defend the puck and he was quite strong on his stick in possession along the boards and in open ice. He has long strides and a strong push off which allows him an ability to create separation. It doesn’t take him long to convert a turnover into offense, especially from the neutral zone as he anticipates the play and only needs a few steps to be at top speed. He should be a great addition to Coach Will’s team down in CT. Committed to Vermont just days after the tournament. Grade: B+ College: Vermont
USHL Phase I Draft, May 2018: Lucas was ranked #79 with a 3.75 Neutral Zone star rating.
Quebec Midget AAA Showcase, January 2018: Mercuri is a tall power forward with a scorer’s blade. His forecheck is heavy and relentless until his team recovers. He has great size and strength for his age and communicated on every shift in offensive and defensive game situations. He needs to fill into his frame to get more out of his strides but he’s athletic, has good hockey sense and awareness and makes skilled passes in stride. He’s raw like anyone with his frame at his age, but his game is getting better and better and he has nice touch around the net. He’s averaging a point per game with the Grenadiers this season, which is quite a feat. He should hear his name called early in the upcoming draft.
The Athletic Republic Prep Showcase, December 2017: Caught a few glimpse of some skill. Made some good plays in open ice to create space and scoring chances. Uses his line mates well and has ability be offensive. 02 birth year but has an appealing frame at 6’3, 185. He can do a lot with that size and ability to make plays happen on the ice. Grade: B-
Junior Chowder Cup 2002 Division, August 2017: Has good quickness, tall, athletic, smooth skater. He had a nice breakaway attempt showed separational speed. Lucas rushes the puck end to end often and that led to good zone entries. He also attacked the net very well from below the goal line. Made an excellent play on a 2v1 where he attacked with speed, shot with purpose to create a rebound that ended up with a goal. High ceiling prospect.