Quick Facts
Biography
Elvis Merzļikins (born April 13, 1994) is a Latvian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the HC Lugano of the National League A (NLA). He played his junior hockey in Switzerland, which allows him to play in the NLA with a Swiss player license and doesn't count as an import player. He was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
Throughout the 2012–13 season, Merzļikins spent several games on the bench as the backup goaltender of HC Lugano. Merzļikins would eventually make his NLA debut on September 28, 2013 in a 2-1 victory over Lausanne HC.
At the end of the 2013-14 season, Merzlikins was voted off as NLA Media Most Improved Player and NLA Youngster of the Year.
In the 2016 NLA playoffs, Merzlikins led Lugano to the NLA final which they would eventually lose in 5 games to SC Bern. He posted a .937 save % and 2.32 goal average in 15 playoffs games.
On June 22, 2016, he agreed to a three-year contract extension with Lugano, without an NHL out-clause. At the 2016 Spengler Cup, he was named to the tournament's all-star team.
International play
Merzļikins participated in the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships as a member of the Latvia men's national junior ice hockey team.
Merezlikins was selected to the national team for the 2016 World Championship, and made his debut in the opening game against Sweden in a 2-1 overtime loss.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2013–14 | HC Lugano | NLA | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 1270 | 45 | 1 | 2.13 | .924 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | .976 | ||
| 2014–15 | HC Lugano | NLA | 23 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 1370 | 57 | 2 | 2.61 | .913 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 3.25 | .846 | ||
| NLA totals | 45 | 26 | 19 | 0 | 2640 | 102 | 3 | 2.40 | .917 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 3 | 0 | 1.87 | .930 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Latvia | WC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 268 | 13 | 0 | 2.91 | .912 |
| WC totals | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 268 | 13 | 0 | 2.91 | .912 | ||