"I want to thank Trevor Linden and the Vancouver Canucks organization for allowing Rollie to join the New Jersey Devils," said Shero. "Rollie is well-respected throughout the League as a teacher and his experience with various goaltenders will be very beneficial. Additionally, I have enjoyed working with Chris the past two years and I am very happy that he will remain with the organization. His knowledge and passion will help us continue to grow as a team."
Melanson served as the goaltending coach of the Vancouver Canucks for six seasons from 2010-11 through 2016-17. This past year he served in a player development capacity in Utica, as he took time off to return home to be with his family. Before his stint in Vancouver, Melanson was an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens for 11 seasons, 1997-98 to 2008-09. He also served as goaltending/assistant coach with Moncton (QMJHL) from 1995 to 1997, and as a goaltending consultant with St. John (AHL) from 1993 to 1995.
Among the goaltenders Melanson has worked with throughout his coaching career are current Devils' netminder Cory Schneider (2010-13), Roberto Luongo, Ryan Miller, Jose Theodore, Jocelyn Thibault, Jaroslav Halak, Cristobal Huet and Carey Price.
As a goaltender, Melanson skated in 291 regular-season NHL games over 12 seasons with the NY Islanders, Minnesota, Los Angeles, New Jersey and Montreal. He won three consecutive Stanley Cup Championships, 1981-1983, while with the Islanders. In 1982-83, he shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Billy Smith and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team. Melanson played two seasons with the Utica (AHL) Devils in 1989-90 and 1990-91. He played one NHL game with New Jersey in the 1990-91 season. He was drafted in the third round, 59th overall, by the Islanders in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Born in Moncton, N.B. on June 28, 1960, Melanson played three seasons of junior hockey, 1977-1980, with Windsor and Oshawa (OHL). He holds the distinction of being the first-ever goaltender born in New Brunswick to play in the NHL.
