Merrimack received a commitment from 2004-born defenseman Hunter Mayo on Thursday.
Mayo will enroll next season (2025-26) as a right-shot defenseman.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Mayo has been in the WHL for the last four seasons. This season he was a captain with Red Deer and was later traded to Swift Current for a playoff run.
Despite being newly acquired, Mayo is an alternate captain for the Broncos.
In 64 combined games (including playoffs), Mayo has 53 points (19g-44a).
“We had a really young group to start the year,” Swift Current coach Taras McEwen said. “Getting him has stabilized our back end — just his ability to defend and, obviously, his physical strength. When you see him, right away it’s something really noticeable. He has man-strength. He’s real good at winning battles down low and he’s poised with the puck.
“He’s good with our breakouts and cleaned up some of our zone exits, so obviously the offense has really helped. He’s got a big shot from the point and he’s definitely chipped in with our power play as well.”
Mayo measures 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds. He went undrafted in 2022, but Elite Prospects also noted his physicality in their draft guide.
“A physical, alert defender, Mayo eliminates off-puck threats, kills the cycle before it starts, and piles up the stops at the blue line. He takes the middle lane away early to funnel the attacker to the outside, where a punishing hit awaits.”
Despite going undrafted during his eligibility, he has already been invited to two NHL Development camps with the Los Angeles Kings (2023) and Winnipeg Jets (2024).
Neutral Zone has Mayo rated as a 4-star recruit.
