Roland Melanson is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on June 28, 1960, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Melanson began his hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Verdun Juniors in 1977. He played for the Juniors for three seasons before being drafted by the New York Islanders in the third round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
Melanson made his NHL debut with the Islanders in the 1980-81 season, playing in 17 games and posting a 2.56 goals against average (GAA). He became the Islanders' starting goaltender in the 1983-84 season, helping the team win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Melanson played a key role in the Islanders' success, posting a 2.87 GAA and a .902 save percentage in the playoffs.
After six seasons with the Islanders, Melanson was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1986. He played for the North Stars for two seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988. Melanson played for the Kings for one season before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1989. He played for the Canadiens for two seasons before being traded back to the Islanders in 1991.
Melanson retired from the NHL after the 1992-93 season. He played in a total of 291 NHL games, posting a 129-97-33 record, a 3.57 GAA, and a .878 save percentage. Melanson was known for his unorthodox goaltending style, which involved a lot of movement and acrobatic saves. He was also known for his mental toughness and ability to bounce back from tough losses.
After retiring from playing, Melanson became a goaltending coach. He has worked with several NHL teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, and Montreal Canadiens. Melanson is considered one of the top goaltending coaches in the NHL, and has helped develop several successful goaltenders, including Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, and Cory Schneider.
In addition to his coaching career, Melanson has also been involved in charity work. He has organized several charity events to raise money for cancer research, and has also worked with the Canadian Cancer Society to raise awareness about the disease. Melanson is known for his dedication to the sport of hockey and his commitment to giving back to his community.
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