Justin L. Mercier (born June 25, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey left wing who played in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche. Playing career Amateur Mercier was drafted 168th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. Mercier was drafted from the United States National Development Team Program after previously playing with the St. Louis Heartland Eagles in the USHL. Mercier committed to Miami University in the summer of 2004, and after recording 10 points in his freshman year, Mercier developed into an aggressive scoring forward in the following years for Miami. As a senior Mercier was named the West regional MVP as he helped guide the Redhawks to the Frozen Four, losing the 2008–09 National Championship game 4–3 in overtime to Boston University. Professional On July 10, 2009, Mercier was signed to a three-year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Mercier was then assigned to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, to start his first professional season in 2009–10. Expected to provide an energetic, physical presence, Mercier got off to a slow start recording a single assist in 24 games with Lake Erie before he was surprisingly recalled to the Avalanche on December 8, 2009. He made his NHL debut the next night in a 1–0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on December 9, 2009. Mercier returned to his Native Erie and on the turn of the year finally scored his first professional goals in a 3–2 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs on January 2, 2010. In his second recall to the Avalanche, Justin scored his first NHL goal in a 5–3 loss to the Nashville Predators on February 4, 2010. In the following two seasons, Mercier became a fixture among the Monsters as a two-way checking line forward. Without a recall to the Avalanche, Mercier improved his goal totals with the Monsters each season and after his three-year tenure became Lake Erie's All-time games leader with 220. Without an offer of an extension with the Avalanche and uncertainty due to the 2012 NHL lockout, Mercier was without a club going into the 2012–13 season. Two months into the season proper on October 28, 2012, Mercier was invited to train and try-out with German club EHC Wolfsburg of the DEL. On October 31, Mercier made his debut for the Grizzly Adams in front of the Wolfsburg fans in