The Jacksonville Icemen announced today two new signings for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Rookie forwards Dominick Mersch and Luke Bignell have signed one-year agreements with the team, adding to the list of names set to appear in an Icemen sweater in the new season.
Dominick Mersch comes to Jacksonville after wrapping up a five-year collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. In his five years with the Wisconsin Badgers, Mersch posted 37 points in 164 games and captained the team during the 2022-23 season. The forward also has two games of AHL experience, appearing in a pair of games for the Chicago Wolves during the 2022-23 season following the completion of his college career.
The 6’0” 194-pound forward should provide the Icemen some extra grit on the offensive side of the puck. Mersch plays a physical style of hockey, getting to the harder-to-reach areas of the ice to generate chances. Montreal Canadiens star Cole Caufield, who has previously played with Mersch, says, “He is a competitor and is one of the most energetic and positive guys that I have played with and is crucial to our team success.”
Luke Bignell is fresh off of a college career at the University of Guelph. The 22-year-old played two seasons with the Guelph Gryphons, tallying up 20 points through 39 games with the team. Prior to his time at Guelph, Bignell played for the OHL’s Barrie Colts at the junior level. Bignell captained the Colts for both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and collected 68 points through 178 games with the team.
Bignell recently participated in the New Jersey Devils rookie camp prior to the start of the 2022-23 season. The 6’1” 185 pound forward is praised for his work ethic and his special teams work, though he excels at clogging the crease and cleaning up rebound chances. Strong on his skates, Bignell’s ability to drive the puck end to end and put it on net should fit in nicely amongst the returning Icemen veterans.
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