Glenn Merkosky

Glenn Merkosky is one of those guys who never really got the NHL chance he deserved. For various reasons he was often overlooked, despite amassing one of the better AHL careers in history.

Glenn is the Adirondack Red Wings' all-time leader for both regular season and playoffs in goals, assists and points. He is the 10th-leading goal-scorer, and 22nd-leading overall scorer, in AHL history. The two-time winner of the Fred Hunt Trophy, the AHL's version of the Lady Byng, is the only player to have his jersey number (15) retired by the Wings.

Curiously, Glenn was never drafted by an NHL team. He did sign with the Hartford Whalers organization in the summer of 1980, one year after playing his overage year of junior hockey. "Merk" put in a couple of solid years with the Whalers AHL affiliate in Binghampton, and even earned a 7 game cup of NHL tea in 1981-82, but was released in the summer of 1982.

The Edmonton Alberta native singed on with the New Jersey Devils for the next three years. He did play in 39 NHL games, accomplishing little. He chipped in with 5 goals and 10 assists. But he did put in 3 solid years with the Devils farm teams

The Detroit Red Wings signed "Merk" in the summer of 1985. The Wings were looking for a solid minor league player to help their kids on the farm team, and never really gave Glenn an opportunity to play at the NHL level. That was unfortunate as Merkosky really matured with the Wings farm team in Adirondack, and became a great AHL level player.

For the next 6 years Glenn was an incredible player in Adirondack. He rewrote the team's record book, and even led the whole leage in goal scoring with 54 tallies in 1986-87. Despite this, Glenn only got into 20 NHL games over the 6 years.

Glenn was a complete player who did everything well, but nothing particularly outstandingly. He had a big heart, and a goal scorers touch. He was perhaps a tad small and a tad slow at the NHL level. Also affecting his chances at NHL employment was Detroits investment in other, younger players. Glenn wasn't as skilled as first overall draft pick Joe Murphy. He didn't have the size and strength of Adirondack teammate Adam Graves. And he didn't crash and bang as noticeably as Randy McKay.

Had he played in the waterdown 30 team NHL 10 years after his prime, Glenn would have enjoyed a few seasons in the NHL.

Glenn went on to become a long time scout for the Red Wings.