By Andrew Stille/Coralville, Iowa — Hockey is (close to) everything in Newfoundland. Every small town has its own team, and nearly everyone grows up playing the sport. From the QMJHL’s most recent addition, the Newfoundland Regiment, recording stellar attendance reports, to the dedicated U18 league featuring the best and brightest prospects, hockey is deeply integrated into every corner of the providence. For Riley Mercer and his family, the story is no different.

Mercer grew up alongside two siblings, Dawson and Jessica. Each of them plays a different position: Dawson as the forward (now with the New Jersey Devils), Jessica as the defenseman, and Riley as the goaltender. The three spent countless hours playing hockey with their cousin, Zachery Bennett, who lived just down the road.

“My brother came before me. I watched him grow from minor hockey to junior, and now the NHL,” Mercer recounted. “Following in his footsteps was a big thing of mine.”

While Riley watched his brother dominate offensively for his junior career, it wasn’t the high-scoring, flashy moves that caught his attention. Instead, the Bay Roberts native gravitated to the performances of the player between the pipes. 

“My dad and brothers' goalies were always my favorite players to watch. I idolized them a bit,” Mercer said. “Being the younger brother, Dawson and my cousin Zach always wanted to shoot on me, so I just kinda took up that role.”

The Drummondville Voltigeurs drafted Dawson 8th overall in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft, right as Riley began his hockey career in the Newfoundland & Labrador U15 Hockey League. Three years later, Riley earned the opportunity to join the same QMJHL franchise his brother once played for. He was drafted in the second round of the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Voltigeurs. Riley went on to play his entire junior career in Drummondville, which included an opportunity to chase the most sought-after trophy in junior hockey: the Memorial Cup.

“You grow with the guys around you; they become family,” Mercer said. “Getting the experience to go through that playoff run with the guys was unbelievable. I’m still in contact with all those guys; I can’t wait for our reunion.”

Drummondville lost their three round-robin games, leading to an early tournament exit for Mercer. However, his QMJHL career set the stage for his next journey: a contract with the Minnesota Wild in the 2025 offseason.

“Playing pro is a completely different game,” Mercer explained. “Everything is way faster. I feel like I’ve had a good grip on the change of scenery, but you have to adjust fast.”

Playing pro wasn’t the only adjustment Mercer had to make. This season is his first time playing hockey in the United States.

“The hockey culture in Newfoundland is amazing,” Mercer said. “They love their hockey up there. It’s the biggest sport by far, and it’s just amazing to be around.”

Mercer is grateful for the opportunity to move his game to Iowa, where he hopes to grow hockey in the community. He acknowledges how impactful having a strong hockey presence around him was in his development, and he wants to bring that culture to Coralville.

“Everyone I knew in Newfoundland played hockey,” Mercer said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to get the chance to grow the game here in Iowa. There’s an opportunity to build something special here.”

As the 2025-26 season gets underway, Mercer is embracing the chance to not only grow his game, but make an impact on the Heartlanders fans. If he can be a part of why a few kids can grow up loving the game he and his siblings did, then it will make his journey to the pros all the more worthwhile in his eyes. 

Tickets to Heartlanders Home Games

Get Tickets — Wednesday, November 26th vs. Bloomington: Blackout Night

Add a high-energy showdown against the Bloomington Bison to your list of things to be thankful for the night before Thanksgiving! Blackout Night begins at 7:00 p.m. on November 26th as the Heartlanders take on the Bloomington Bison in an electrifying showdown. 

Get Tickets — Sunday, November 30th vs. Bloomington: Landers Classic

Lace up your skates, grab your snowboard and get the snowshoes ready for the Landers Classic! Join us on November 30th at 3:00 p.m. when the rival Bloomington Bison visit Xtream Arena, and stick around following the match for a postgame skate — presented by The Family Dental Center. We can’t wait to SKI you there!