The Edmonton native starred in the BCJHL with the Kelowna Packers in 1977-78. He then split the next two years between the WHL and the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Hartford Whalers signed Merkosky as a free agent after he notched 49 goals for the Calgary Wranglers in 1979-80.

The young forward was a reliable point producer for the AHL's Binghamton Whalers but saw only sporadic action with Hartford. After signing with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent in September 1982, Merkosky played 34 games for his new club. He was eventually returned to the AHL and was a second team all-star after 38 goals for the Maine Mariners in 1984-85.

The Detroit Red Wings signed the crafty pivot in July 1985 and used him in 17 games the following season. He was strictly a farmhand for the club and put up impressive numbers with Adirondack of the AHL. In 1986-87, he led the league with 54 goals, was named to the first all-star team, and won the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Trophy as the league's most sportsmanlike player. He retired in 1991 after scoring 28 goals for Adirondack and winning his second Hunt trophy.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame