DeMelo, 25, set career-highs in points (20) (all assists), shots on goal (67) and games played (63) in 2017-18. From March 1 through the end of the season, DeMelo ranked second on the team in assists (12) and held the second-most points (12) and power-play points (two) among Sharks blueliners while appearing in all 18 games. His 12 helpers since March 1 ranked tied for eighth among all NHL defensemen in that span.
In ten 2018 Stanley Cup Playoff games, DeMelo recorded an assist and a team-high plus-five rating (tied), and led all Sharks blueliners in plus/minus while finishing second in shots on goal (17).
Of the 61 defensemen selected in the second round or later of the 2011 NHL Draft, DeMelo ranks third in assists (29), fourth in points (32), and sixth in both games played (133) and hits (150).
In 162 career AHL games with the Worcester Sharks and San Jose Barracuda, DeMelo recorded 57 points (seven goals, 50 assists) and 93 penalty minutes. In addition, DeMelo recorded one goal, two assists and six penalty minutes in four Calder Cup Playoff games.
The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of London, Ontario, was originally drafted by San Jose in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.
