The Blue Jackets are being patient in waiting for Elvis Merzlikins to come over to North America. If he continues on this trajectory, the wait may be worth it.
Merzlikins has starred in professional leagues overseas (most recently with HC Lugano in Switzerland, where he's locked down the No. 1 job), and on the international stage representing his native Latvia at the World Junior Championship and the men's World Championship.
After another outstanding season, one in which the 24-year-old Merzlikins made 42 starts with a .921 regular season save percentage (and .935 in the playoffs), he was named the Swiss League's goaltender of the year this week.
Schner @Merzly30 ! #HomeofSports #MySportsCH #NationalLeague #SIHAwards pic.twitter.com/BYq56EUIgR
— MySportsCH (@MySports_CH) August 3, 2018
Merzlikins just completed his 10th season in the Lugano organization, beginning with the junior club and now with the main team. While rumors circulated earlier this summer that perhaps the Blue Jackets were interested in bringing Merzlikins to North America for the coming season, Lugano said it plans to keep him for the duration of his contract (which expires after 2018-19).
