( Photo Credit: Pro Hockey Rumors )

By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter @BlackAndGold277

The Hockey News beat writer Ryan Kennedy reported yesterday that the National Hockey League Boston Bruins have intentions to sign NCAA Ohio State forward Georgi Merkulov after a successful freshman season. The 21-year-old 5′-11″ 181-pound left shooting forward recently finished his first year of collegiate hockey after posting 20-14-34 numbers in 36 games for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Well, today, the National Hockey League Boston Bruins made it official, signing Merlulov to a three-year entry-level contract worth a reported $925 thousand. The full details of Georgi’s contract can be seen below from the amazing folks at PuckPedia.com.

The undrafted Russian forward posted 20-14-34 numbers in his only season at Ohio State during the 2021-22 season in 36 games. Before making the journey to North America to get a college education and excel his development in the NCAA, Merkulov played in his native country for the CSKA Moskva U16, U17, and U18 teams. As Georgi moved into his adult years, he moved to the higher MHL league to play with the Kapitan Stupino club and, in three years of service, produced 27-34-61 numbers in 108 career games.

After Merkulov’a commitment was over in Russian during the 2019-20 season, he finished the year jumping right into the North American game playing in 36 games for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League, which is a Tier-1 Junior league here in the states. Georgi appeared in 74 career games with the Phantoms posting 20-53-73 numbers, and was ready for the bright lights of Big-Ten hockey, moving to Ohio State, a school he committed to in April of 2021.

With Merkulov posting 34 points in 36 games with the Buckeyes this season, his offensive capabilities should be an asset to the NHL Bruins top minor-pro affiliate; the Providence Bruins have 11 games remaining in the 2021-22 regular season. The Boston and Providence organizations have certainly loaded up with good talent that was available this year for NCAA free agents. Along with Merkulov, the Bruins have been busy adding players like goaltender Brandon Bussi from Westen Michigan, defenseman Michael Callahan from Providence College, defenseman Grant Gabriele from Ohio State University, and Marc McLaughlin, a forward from Boston College.