Rollie Melanson
1983-84 New York Islanders Game Worn Playoffs/Stanley Cup Finals Jersey
What you are looking at right now is a 1983-84 New York Islanders playoffs/Stanley Cup Finals game worn home jersey used by Rollie Melanson. It features light, though visible wear, indicative of a goalie who played mostly a supporting role to Billy Smith.
Born on June 28, 1960, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Roland Joseph Melanson was drafted 59th overall by the New York Islanders in 1979. After a final season in junior hockey, Melanson turned pro in 1980-81, and he made his NHL debut for the Isles on November 4, 1980. Starting in goal vs the Detroit Red Wings, Melanson stopped 29 shots in a 6-4 win. Though he recorded an 8-1-1 record in the regular season with the Isles, Melanson spent the majority of the season with Indianapolis in the CHL, even winning the Rookie of the Year award. Having also played 3 games in the NHL playoffs, Melanson had also won his first Stanley Cup that season. He moved up to 36, and then 44 games of responsibility with the Isles over the next two seasons, winning a Stanley Cup in each of those seasons as well. Though Billy Smith was "the guy" when it came to the playoffs, Melanson still carried his own as he led the NHL in save percentage in both 1982-83 and 1983-84, and won a Jennings Trophy with Smith in '83.
After the Islanders lost in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1984, Melanson was traded to the Minnesota North Stars early in the 1984-85 campaign as Kelly Hrudey was emerging as the heir-apparent to Smith. Melanson was then acquired by the Los Angeles in a three-way deal that involved the North Stars, Rangers, and Kings. Melanson spent four seasons in Los Angeles, with two of them as the team's number one. Melanson was then signed as a free-agent by the New Jersey Devils in 1989, and played a lone period of action for the Devils in 1991. He was finally traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1991-92, and despite appearing in only 9 games that season, Melanson set the modern-day (post-1967) franchise record shutout streak for the Habs at a length of 195:30. After two more seasons in the minor-pros, Melanson retired from play and immediately transitioned to coaching, continuously taking on coaching roles in the QMJHL, AHL, and NHL, most recently with New Jersey in 2019-20.
In his NHL career, Rollie Melanson appeared in 291 regular season games, going 129-106-33 with 6 shutouts, 12 assists, a 3.63GAA and a 0.883% save average. He appeared in 23 playoff games, going 4-9 with a 4.42GAA, and a 0.863% save average.
Acquired from: Donated to museum by a long-time patron, includes Global Vintage Sports LOA.
Dates of Game Use:
April 12, 1984 vs Washington (0-0, 3-2)
May 10, 1984 vs Edmonton (0-0, 1-0)
Back up only in 9 additional playoff/Stanley Cup Final games.
*Unknown if these jerseys were re-used for next season's pre-season before the jersey style/material of the Isles was switched in 1984-85.
Photomatched: No
Born on June 28, 1960, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Roland Joseph Melanson was drafted 59th overall by the New York Islanders in 1979. After a final season in junior hockey, Melanson turned pro in 1980-81, and he made his NHL debut for the Isles on November 4, 1980. Starting in goal vs the Detroit Red Wings, Melanson stopped 29 shots in a 6-4 win. Though he recorded an 8-1-1 record in the regular season with the Isles, Melanson spent the majority of the season with Indianapolis in the CHL, even winning the Rookie of the Year award. Having also played 3 games in the NHL playoffs, Melanson had also won his first Stanley Cup that season. He moved up to 36, and then 44 games of responsibility with the Isles over the next two seasons, winning a Stanley Cup in each of those seasons as well. Though Billy Smith was "the guy" when it came to the playoffs, Melanson still carried his own as he led the NHL in save percentage in both 1982-83 and 1983-84, and won a Jennings Trophy with Smith in '83.
After the Islanders lost in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1984, Melanson was traded to the Minnesota North Stars early in the 1984-85 campaign as Kelly Hrudey was emerging as the heir-apparent to Smith. Melanson was then acquired by the Los Angeles in a three-way deal that involved the North Stars, Rangers, and Kings. Melanson spent four seasons in Los Angeles, with two of them as the team's number one. Melanson was then signed as a free-agent by the New Jersey Devils in 1989, and played a lone period of action for the Devils in 1991. He was finally traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1991-92, and despite appearing in only 9 games that season, Melanson set the modern-day (post-1967) franchise record shutout streak for the Habs at a length of 195:30. After two more seasons in the minor-pros, Melanson retired from play and immediately transitioned to coaching, continuously taking on coaching roles in the QMJHL, AHL, and NHL, most recently with New Jersey in 2019-20.
In his NHL career, Rollie Melanson appeared in 291 regular season games, going 129-106-33 with 6 shutouts, 12 assists, a 3.63GAA and a 0.883% save average. He appeared in 23 playoff games, going 4-9 with a 4.42GAA, and a 0.863% save average.
Acquired from: Donated to museum by a long-time patron, includes Global Vintage Sports LOA.
Dates of Game Use:
April 12, 1984 vs Washington (0-0, 3-2)
May 10, 1984 vs Edmonton (0-0, 1-0)
Back up only in 9 additional playoff/Stanley Cup Final games.
*Unknown if these jerseys were re-used for next season's pre-season before the jersey style/material of the Isles was switched in 1984-85.
Photomatched: No
