Melanson was born on June 28, 1960,[2] in Shediac, New Brunswick[1] to parents Alphe and Albertine (née Maillet) Melanson.[3][4] Although he started skating in Moncton, Melanson only joined an organized hockey team as a goaltender when his family moved to Waltham, Massachusetts.[5] He spent four years in the United States before his family moved back to New Brunswick.[1] Due to his success in Waltham, Melanson was able to join a stronger and older hockey team once back in New Brunswick.[5]
Career
Junior
Melanson played minor ice hockey with the Moncton Century Flyers AAA team during the 1976-77 season. He recorded 11 shutouts during the season to help the Flyers finish with a 33–1 record.[6] He also posted a shutout in the final game of the 1976 Moncton Invitational Midget Hockey Tournament to help the Flyers beat Fredericton 3–0.[7] In the same season, he also competed with the Flyers in the 1977 Wrigley Cup midget hockey championships.[8] While the Flyers finished in fourth place, Melanson was named Wrigley Cup MVP for maintaining a 2.33 goals against average (GAA).[6] As of 2025, Melanson's 4–1–1 preliminary round record still stands as the best record for a New Brunswick team at the National Midget Championship.[9] Due to his play during the tournament, Melanson earned the attention of Windsor Spitfires coach Wayne Maxner.[10] He subsequently signed a contract with the Spitfires to play with them in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.[11]
Personal life
Melanson married Janice LeBlanc in July 1981.[12] They had two children together before divorcing.[13]
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