FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON – The Belleville Senators announced today the signing of former Ottawa Jr. Senators defenceman Merrick Rippon to an amateur tryout contract.
The 20-year-old was scheduled to suit up for his overage junior season with his hometown Ottawa 67’s, but due to unprecedented times has earned a tryout with the Ottawa Senators American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville.
After spending the 2015-2016 season under Steve Mallette with the Ottawa Jr. Senators u18 team, Rippon took home the league’s top defenceman after recording 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 43 games. The Ottawa native also earned some games in the CCHL, recording two points in 12 playoff games as the Jr. Senators fell to the Carleton Place Canadians in the Bogart Cup Finals.
Rippon earned a spot as a 16-year-old on the Jr. Senators defence core and earned the CCHL Rookie of the Year award, along with a commitment to Providence College.
Following an offseason trade that saw his OHL rights moved from Kitchener to Mississauga, Rippon elected to sign with the Steelheads for the 2017-2018 season. At the Christmas break, the 6-foot-1 defenceman was dealt to the Ottawa 67’s.
Since then, he has suited up for parts of three seasons with the 67’s in the OHL. Rippon has a total of 54 points in 168 regular-season games played in the league and was a big part of a long playoff run in 2019, which saw the 67’s sweep their first three playoff series on route to a 4-2 series loss in the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals. Rippon notched four points in 17 games played through the playoffs. Following the season, Rippon was invited to Carolina Hurricanes rookie camp, but couldn’t attend due to an injury.
In 2020, Rippon was on track for a career year before the season came to an abrupt halt, recording 13 points in 36 games played.
Rippon joins former OJS u18 netminder and fellow Ottawa 67 Cedrick Andree who also is on an ATO with the Belleville Senators!
The Ottawa Jr. Senators organization wishes Merrick all the best in his pro career!
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