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Jay Merkley was named the first star of Friday's season opener after scoring three goals in that game (Photo: Darwin Knelsen)

You couldn't ask for a better start from Swift Current Broncos forward Jay Merkley.

The 19-year-old scored a hat trick in the season opener last Friday and added two more goals on Saturday, and on Monday was named the WHL's Player of the Week for the opening week of the season.

"Obviously, it's a huge honour," Merkley said. "I got fortunate enough to get out to the hot start that I did, and I owe it to my teammates, playing with some great players who are setting me up... my linemates have really elevated their game and everyone on our team has over the last year. It's just a great way to start the season, and for me, it's been just a dream come true."

Merkley is now in his third season with the Broncos after coming to the team in a trade with Lethbridge in 2013. Since then, he's scored 41 goals and 81 points in 103 regular season games in Swift Current.

He says his confidence and love for hockey has grown during his time with the Broncos.

"[Mark Lamb] has been awesome to me here," Merkley said. "He's helped me get my confidence back, he's relied on me, and he's helping me trust myself and believe in myself. I think Lamber's definitely the biggest influence on me getting back to loving the game as much as I do now.

"I think coming here has definitely been huge for my career and the overall happiness of where I'm at right now," he added. "I'm getting the opportunity to play lots of big minutes, and penalty kill and power play, and I've played with some great players along the way. I'm just building day by day, and hopefully I can keep this up."

Merkley is on a skilled second line with Jake DeBrusk and Glenn Gawdin, who yesterday, made NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary Players to Watch list as B-graded prospects for the 2015 draft. The B grade indicates players who are candidates for 2nd and 3rd round selections in the draft.

"I try to be a good example for them, but the way I see it on our line, we kind of all just feed off each other," Merkley said. "We've had some great good chemistry, and we're really good friends away from the rink too. You can tell watching Jake and Glenn play, they're just unbelievable talents... playing with guys like that is a treat. They can sometimes do things that other players can't."

The Broncos host Edmonton in their next game on Friday.