Popular TV Show Helped a Bruins Prospect Adapt to North America

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Dorin Canaday
May 2, 2023 (1:20 PM)

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There's many ways for European players to adapt to North American hockey, but one Bruins' prospect turned to a very popular U.S. television show to help him.

Most players that come to the United States or Canada to play in the NHL already know, or eventually learn how to speak the native tongue.

A Unique Way of Going About It

But undrafted forward Georgi Merkulov, who hails from Russia, had a very unique way of learning English, and he credits it to a popular sitcom:

''I had my phone all the time to help translate, and coaches would communicate with me through the phone translator too TV and YouTube all that stuff helps a lot. The Big Bang Theory was the main show I watched.''

Merkulov signed with the Bruins out of Ohio State University after putting up 34 points in 36 games in just one season in the NCAA.

Now 22, Merkulov will be in the running for AHL Rookie of the Year following an incredible first season with the Providence Bruins.

In 67 games he registered 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points. With that, he finished in the top ten of all three categories for rookies, including second in points behind Ty Kartye of the Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA), who had 57.

His 55 points also led the Providence team.