Maven's Memories: Rollie Melanson, The Forgotten Hero

The Bill Smith-Glenn (Chico) Resch goaltending combo -- from 1973-1981 -- was as tight as any netminders union could be.
For eight years they helped guide the Islanders from hapless to happiness. They were the odd couple in goal, personality-wise and style-wise; yet they were good friends and the perfect linkage.

But when GM Bill Torrey traded Chico to Colorado late in the 1980-81 season the S.O.S. was sounded for a replacement.
"Let's face it," said Bow Tie Bill, "Chico was so popular -- and good for us -- that anybody who replaced him would be following a tough act. But we knew this day would come and we were prepared."
The Isles high command had been grooming Roland Melanson, a Maritimer from Moncton, New Brunswick since Rollie was drafted 59th overall in 1979.
"We nurtured Rollie in Juniors -- first in Windsor and then Oshawa -- before turning him pro," Torrey remembered. "It didn't take long to realize we had a winner."
Torrey's sidekick, Jim Devellano, also was overseeing the club's Central Hockey League Indianapolis Checkers when Melanson graduated from the amateur ranks in 1980.
"Right off the bat," Devellano chuckled, "we knew we hit a home run. In his first pro year, Melanson won the rookie award (Ken McKrenzie Trophy). As soon as Chico got traded to Colorado, Rollie was ready."
The term "ready" was an understatement. Playing now for the defending Stanley Cup champions as Smith's back-up, Melanson was sensational as attested by his 8-1-1 record during the homestretch of 1980-81.
As an extra added accomplishment he won his only playoff appearance in the quarterfinal round against the Edmonton Oilers, led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
"Getting to play more and more was an adjustment for Rollie," explained coach Al Arbour. "At first he found it tough but he got in a groove and showed continued improvement."
What Islanders fans perceived was a confident young professional. What they could not see was the pressure that the rookie was putting on himself.
"I've always been hard on myself," he said in a moment of self-introspection with reporter Bob Glauber, then with the Westchester-Rockland newspapers.
"Some people have said that I'm too hard on myself, but I think it's a big reason I've come this far -- up to the Islanders. I always go out there and try to do things better than I had done before."
The more accurate test of Rollie's master of major league hockey would take place during the 1981-82 season. Having now become winners of two consecutive Stanley Cups, the drive for a third was a big challenge.
"What we wanted," said Torrey, "was to give Smitty enough rest during the regular season so he'd be fresh for the playoffs."
Sure enough, Rollie The Goalie delivered. He compiled an admirable 22-7-6 record and was considered at least the equal of what Resch had given the team during the first run to the Cup.
"It was obvious to me that Rollie was up to the task," said coach Al Arbour.
Rollie was well aware of Chico's legacy and was not averse to discuss his predecessor.
Melanson: "I don't think there's a guy in this league with more class than Chico. He really helped me in training camp when I came up to the big club and we became good friends.
"The fans had to understand that everyone has to move on sometime. It's just unfortunate that in this particular case -- with me coming up -- that it had to be him."
Resch understood although it may not have been his favorite scenario.
"The year I got traded," Chico mentioned, "Rollie had a very good training camp. By that time Bill started thinking that Rollie could do the job. Frankly, that was the final nail in my coffin. It was my turn to be expendable."
That point was underlined as Melanson continued to improve. After the Islanders achieved their dynastic third consecutive Cup triumph, Arbour showed enormous confidence in Smitty's back-up.
Challenged to help his team win a fourth straight title, Rollie The Goalie now was sharing the crease with Battlin' Bill. There were similarities in style -- both played "Hybrid" -- and intensity.
"I was a hard loser," Melanson revealed. "Sometimes I'd wake up in the morning -- after a loss -- and want to bite the doorknob off to get out of the house. The way I saw it, losing was for losers."
MAVEN'S MEMORIES
WRITTEN COVERAGE
Dave Langevin, The Best Bodychecker
The Underrated Kenny Jonsson
Gerry Hart, Heart of the Original Isles
The Parise-Drouin Trades
The Great Smitty and Gretzky Battles
From Long Island Arena to UBS Arena
Isles-Rangers Feud: Heating Up Into the 1990s
Mark Fitzpatrick's Mastery
Maven's Haven
Melanson's record during the 1982-83 regular season was 24-12-5. His goals against average was an admirable 2.66 with a .910 save percentage.
That season, Rollie and Billy shared the Bill Jennings Trophy (fewest goals against) while Melanson was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team.
When one considers Melanson's background, perhaps most interesting is the fact that even though Rollie was born in Canada he cut his puck teeth in New England.
Although he started skating in Moncton it wasn't until his family moved to Waltham, Massachusetts that Rollie joined a hockey team.
Melanson: "I was 10 when I first put on goalie pads and joined a hockey league in Waltham. The problem was that we only played once or twice a week and that really wasn't enough for me to develop.
"But after two years in Waltham, my family moved back to Moncton and I was able to become part of a stronger league. I played with older guys all the time and that really was a big plus for me."
The turning point in Rollie's career took place when he was 16. His Midget level team entered the prestigious Wrigley Tournament featuring some of Canada's best teams.
"That tourney helped me a lot," Rollie allowed. "I was named MVP and a lot of scouts saw me play. We were the host team and I came out of it with a great feeling. I eventually went to Windsor and then Oshawa."
At the 1979 Entry Draft, Melanson was the Islanders fourth selection. 59th overall. He followed Duane Sutter, Tomas Jonsson and Billy Carroll.
Rollie's march to the NHL now was in earnest. He played backup to Richard Brodeur -- no relation to Marty -- in the 1980 Central Hockey League playoffs.
"By that time," Devellano revealed, "we knew Rollie was ready to move up the ladder. The following season, we sent him to Indianapolis and that's when we got to realize how good he could be."
His record said it all: 31-16-3 and a 2.57 goals against mark, not to mention being picked the Central Hockey League's best rookie.
"The time was coming when we had to bring Rollie to the big club," Torrey concluded.
Historian Andrew Podnieks -- author of Players -- in his critique of Melanson's career agreed with Bow Tie Bill:
"Timing is everything, especially in comedy and hockey," wrote Podnieks. "Melanson wasn't very funny, but he did graduate in time to join the Islanders in 1981, just as the team was on a four-Cup roll."
And Rollie -- The Forgotten Hero -- helped the Islanders win another hat trick of titles!
For that alone, Melanson should be well-remembered!