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]
Professional
After participating in the Islanders' training camp, Melanson was reassigned to their minor league affiliate, the Indianapolis Checkers, to start the 1980–81 season.[12] Upon joining the Checkers, Melanson played in their first nine games and led them to a 7–1–1 start while also maintaining a league-leading 2.40 GAA.[13] After being called up to the NHL on November 4, 1980,[14] Melanson made his NHL debut the following night against Detroit Red Wings. He stopped 29 of 33 shots to lead the Islanders to a 6–4 win.[15] He remained unbeaten through his next five games, becoming the first NHL rookie goaltender of the season to maintain an unbeaten streak.[16] Melanson also received praise from teammates and opposing coaches during this stretch and was repeatedly named the First Star of the Game.[17] However, he was returned to the CHL on November 16 after veteran goaltender Chico Resch recovered from his injury. As neither of the Islanders veteran goaltenders were eligible to be reassigned to the CHL, the team was forced to return Melanson once they both recovered.[18]
Personal life
Melanson married Janice LeBlanc in July 1981.[19] They had two children together before divorcing.[20]
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