Dean Melanson signs with Fury
Published on March 30, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- As they approach the final three weeks and nine games of the 2005-06 United Hockey League season, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have moved forward with a giant step expressly to bolster their defense corps in their bid to achieve a second consecutive Tarry Cup Regular Season Championship.
With those marching orders in mind, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in concert with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced on this date that the Fury have signed veteran defenseman DEAN MELANSON to a UHL contract for the duration of the current 2005-06 season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
MELANSON, 32, is currently in his 14th pro season, having played the vast majority of it at the higher pro levels of the NHL, AHL, IHL as well as the elite European theater. In arriving on the Muskegon pro hockey scene, the muscular, 6-0, 200lb blue line standout will be seeing his first-ever service in the UHL.
The newest Fury defensemen is bringing with him a major array of credentials that would seem to have the certainty as to significantly augment the Fury aggregation nation in their concerted effort to solidify their quest for the franchise Tarry Cup III and the second consecutively to attain the all-important home ice advantage throughout the 2006 Colonial Cup Playoffs. At this hour of the campaign, the Fury reside at the top of both the Central Division and overall UHL league standings with an extraordinary record of 67(47-13-7) totaling 101-points and a 4-points' lead over second place Kalamazoo and a 6-ponts advantage over the other two divisional kingpins; namely Western Division front-running Rockford and Eastern Division pace-setting Danbury.
As for D. Melanson, he has been performing this season in the QSPHL with St. Hyacinthe Cristal where in 27-games, he had collected 14-points on 2-goals, 12-assists, along with 42-PIM.
Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 4th round, 80th overall, in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, the native of Antigonish, Nova Scotia played 10-seasons in the AHL, including his initial six years with Buffalo's top affiliate the Rochester Americans (1992-93 through 1998-99). He was a premiere contributor to Rochester's AHL Calder Cup crown in the 1995-96 season, collecting 16-points in 70-games on 3-goals, 13-assists with 204-PIM.
Following his stint with the Americans, the rugged, ruffian, rock-ribbed rearguard starred for two seasons with the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms, followed by a three-year stay with the Portland Pirates as well as top-drawer tours of duty with the AHL Binghamton Senators and the IHL's Quebec Rafales and Chicago Wolves. Melanson also brings NHL experience to Muskegon's back line, having seen action for both Buffalo and the Washington Capitals.
Coach Nelson is thrilled to shore up his club's defense with a player the ilk and caliber of Dean Melanson. "The signing of Dean Melanson brings tremendous stability and rock-solid play to our defense. Dean possesses many key attributes that are paramount to our team's continued success. He skates exceptionally well, moves the puck sharply, he is tough, physical and brings a wealth of experience. In short, he brings us a bit of everything. He has been around a long time, keeps himself in top physical condition and has that polished, professional demeanor from having always played the game at the higher levels throughout his whole career. With those qualities comes strong veteran leadership for our defense where he will be a nice complement. We really look forward to having him in our lineup."
Melanson will wear jersey #26 and make his formal Fury debut this Saturday night, April 1st when Muskegon hosts Rockford in a 7:30 clash on home ice at Walker Arena.
Dean Melanson becomes the third and final one of the three pro hockey playing Melanson brothers to don the code of arms under the Fury banner. Previously, brothers Rob and Stan Melanson were standouts for Muskegon. Older brother Rob played for both the Lumberjacks and the Fury, spending nine seasons with the UHL club from 1992-2001 while Stan saw service with the Fury in the 1995-96 campaign.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 30, 2006
- Individual game playoff tickets on sale Friday - Rockford IceHogs
- Dean Melanson signs with Fury - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Riverdogs edge Vipers 4-3 - Richmond RiverDogs
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