Ranger trade with Oshawa

[rangerfansince69]

Is it just me or is someone giving this guy strange advice. I have no problem with him going the college route but he comments

“It’s more about the opportunity to develop as a player. There are less games (30 to 40) in the college schedule. The OHL has more of an NHL-like schedule (68 games) where it probably won’t give me the opportunity to get stronger as much as the college route..Did i read that wrong? what the heck is he talking about??

[DB]

Is it just me or is someone giving this guy strange advice. I have no problem with him going the college route but he comments

“It’s more about the opportunity to develop as a player. There are less games (30 to 40) in the college schedule. The OHL has more of an NHL-like schedule (68 games) where it probably won’t give me the opportunity to get stronger as much as the college route..Did i read that wrong? what the heck is he talking about??

There is a long-standing theory that a lighter game schedule affords a player more time in the weight room and gives his body more opportunity to build muscle. It's one of the NCAA's selling points for recruits. Many are told by NHL teams that they need more muscle mass and some feel that playing games so often in junior limits the opporunity to body-build.

Take it for what it's worth.

[Surly]

I would read that because they are playing so many games there isn't as much time to devote to training. Time is spent playing games, not in development.

[ORYX]

I also read it as him not having much confidence in his game, saying that he ultimately expect to take another 4 years to go pro (or the AHL), so why not be in the best physical shape possible over 4 years vs 2?

I have a feeling he will end up in Kitchener based on the network within his family and how it ties to the Rangers. It seems the obvious choice. You dont get drafted into the NHL while playing tier 2 without having a great amount of talent. Perhaps he could have been drafted even higher had he played at a higher competitive level.

[BrantfordRanger]

This is OT slightly.

If Melchiori doesn't show it means that our defensive situation is still a bit lacking. Now, Scott Mayfield could still show which would bolster things but I'd still like some reassurance. Most people seem to believe that Owen Sound will be revealed as pretenders by the trade deadline. Any chance we could grab Jesse Blacker?

[Number65]

The Rangers just announced that they have signed Melchiori.

Combined with the acquisition of Sol and the signing of McEneny, this leaves Lowry and Dodero on the outside. I'd look at Ben Fanelli being retained if he's fit enough.

[JEF]

Read it and weep Hicks

RANGERS SIGN MELCHIORI - 8/3/2010


Kitchener Rangers Head Coach and General Manager Steve Spott announced that the team has signed Julian Melchiori to an Ontario Hockey League contract with the Rangers.

Spott had this to say, "We are pleased that Julian and his family have decided to play in Kitchener. Julian has recognized that this decision was best for both his athletic and academic future. He can play in the best development league in the world (Canadian Hockey League) while at the same time attending a world class Canadian University. Julian's size and skill level will be a welcome addition to our blueline. We look forward to helping Julian achieve his goal of playing for the Atlanta Thrashers".

Melchiori, a 6'3", 186-pound defenseman, was a 3rd round pick (87th overall) of the Atlanta Thrashers at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He spent last season with the Newmarket Hurricanes of the Central Canadian Hockey League where he recorded seven goals and 23 points in 39 regular season games.

Julian Melchiori
Pronunciation: Julian Mel-key-or-E
Hometown: Richmond Hill, ON
Birthdate: December 6, 1991
Height: 6.03
Weight: 186 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left

[allgoodhockey74]

I wonder what tipped the scales in the Rangers favour? Either way, glad he's coming.

The Rangers just announced that they have signed Melchiori.

Combined with the acquisition of Sol and the signing of McEneny, this leaves Lowry and Dodero on the outside. I'd look at Ben Fanelli being retained if he's fit enough.

Agreed. Our back end isn't stressing me out as much now - famous last words since the season hasn't started <sigh> - is it September yet?

[ronbholmes]

Read it and weep Hicks

RANGERS SIGN MELCHIORI - 8/3/2010

Great trade and great job by Spotter to get Melchiori to report.

Just so you know. Hicks always believed that Melchiori would end up in Kitchener. With all the ties he had to the organization it was hard to believe he would not come here.
It was Melchiori who said he wouldn't report but Hicks seemed to doubt that all along.

[Cyclone Taylor]

Here's some scouting reports on Melchiori:

http://bruins2010draftwatch.blogspot.co ... andon.html

Finally, Melchiori may be the most intriguing of the three.

At 6-3, 185, the late '91 birthdate has a lot of filling out to do, but is a superb skater playing for the Newmarket Hurricanes on the Ontario Jr. A circuit. He turned down a chance to play for the OHL's Oshawa Generals in favor of accepting a scholarship to UMass-Lowell (2010-11), and at last check, he's still committed to going the NCAA route.

"He's a very nice skater who is an offensive presence for his team," the scout said. "He's gotten way better as the year has gone on, and anytime you have a 6-3 guy who can move like he can, he's going to attract some attention."

Here's what Red Line Report had to say about Melchiori in their November issue, after he participated in the World Jr. A Challenge Tournament as a member of Team Canada East: "Tall, lanky defenseman is thin as a rail, but has surprisingly quick feet and acceleration...He's raw as hell, but has a nice frame to fill out and some pretty good tools."

http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tier-f ... zers-game/

LD Julian Melchiori | 1991L | 6’3” | 195lbs | 13GP 4G 10A 14P +3 8PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

NCAA: UMass-Lowell (2010)

Melchiori was probably the second best player in this game, behind Lessio, and you can tell that he’s a player with some solid upside. Originally a 14th round pick of the Oshawa Generals in 2007, Melchiori has steadily progressed into a quality two-way defenseman this season. He’s got good size, but could stand to add a couple of pounds to his frame. He’s a pretty mobile player, his top speed is very good, but he’ll need to work on his first few steps and evening out his stride, which is a bit choppy. He competes hard on the ice, makes good decisions and is more than willing to play the body. I also like the amount of poise he has. He sees the ice fairly well and is effective on the powerplay, with a good shot and ability to walk the line. Overall, Melchiori should be able to contribute for UMass-Lowell next season, and he could even be a late round NHL pick this year, as there is a lot of untapped potential with him.

http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2010/ ... -bound.php

Defenseman Julian Melchiori already has some interesting ties to the New England region, but should he find himself pulling on a Boston Bruins sweater at the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles June 25-26, he’ll be the next best thing to a native son.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound standout for the Newmarket Hurricanes of the Central Canadian Hockey League (Junior A) is bound for UMass-Lowell in the fall. Additionally, his junior coach, Brian Perrin, provides an intriguing connection to the Bruins: He was a youngster when his parents served as Boston coach Claude Julien’s billet family when the 2009 Jack Adams Trophy winner was a member of the Newmarket Flyers in the late 1970s.

If the B’s have a real interest in the smooth-skating, offensively gifted Melchiori, he would provide an infusion of size and skill to the organization’s prospect pool, albeit as project who will require some time and seasoning before he’s ready to compete for an NHL job. He is ranked No. 45 on Central Scouting's list of draft-eligible North American skaters.

“I think the fact that he’s a tall kid who’s very agile and quick on the ice makes him an enormous asset,” said Perrin, who coached Melchiori for two seasons in Newmarket. “He can pivot both ways very quickly, and his work ethic and the fact that he’s very coachable are why he was an important part of our team over the past two seasons.”

He was also teammates and good friends with consensus top-two draft pick Tyler Seguin on the Toronto Marlies Midget AAA team two years ago.

Melchiori, who completed the physical testing portion of the NHL Scouting Combine on Saturday, was back at home (in the Toronto area) that afternoon recovering from the exertion, but feeling upbeat about the results.

“It was a good experience,” he said. “It’s definitely a lot different when you get out there in front of a room full of scouts and GMs who are all watching you. I was on the bike (VO2 max) test when I looked up and Mark Messier was standing in front of me checking on how I was doing. That was cool; it was all pretty nerve-wracking, but I was prepared (for the various tests) and feel I did well.”

Melchiori’s final physical exam and health assessment came on the heels of a week filled with interviews with 18 NHL teams interested in possibly calling his name next month, and Boston was one of them.

“It was good,” he replied, asked about his meeting with the Bruins’ brass. “It wasn’t anything too in-depth. They said they were going to talk more with me later because we only had 20-minute slots for the interviews. I thought it went well and was comfortable with them in that setting.”

In addition to getting a positive vibe from the B’s, Melchiori also felt good about his meeting with the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and Vancouver Canucks. As far as the interview process went, every team took a different approach, however.

“They were all very different,” he said. “Some teams had four guys (in the room asking questions); some had 30. Some teams are more up front and serious in their questions, while others were a little more laid-back, but I just tried to be as honest as I could with my answers.”

Perrin said that Melchiori’s intelligence, maturity and dedication to the sport make him as well-rounded an athlete as any he’s had the privilege of coaching.

“One of the hardest assets in any sport is finding athletes who are coachable,” he said. “Julian listens to input and finds the time to work on the things we talk about. During games, he makes adjustments and goes about the business the way you want from any player.”

With the draft rapidly approaching, Melchiori expressed relief that the first step in a possible pro hockey future will soon be in the books so he can focus on his upcoming freshman season at Lowell.

“It’s definitely something I’ve worked for over the past two seasons and it’s coming closer,” he said. “At the same time, I have no idea where I’m going; it’s something I’d like to get over with right now. The combine is done, and my hockey season is done, so now all that is left is the wait.”

Based on his size, skills, hockey sense and accomplishments at this level, it appears that Melchiori’s wait in Los Angeles will not be a very long one. Regardless of which NHL jersey he ends up wearing in late June, he’s going to find himself in New England next season and beyond. Being a part of the region’s NHL franchise would add just one more connection to a story that is already interesting enough.

“I’d definitely be happy (to get drafted by Boston),” he said. “It’ll be an honor to go to any team, though. I’m looking forward to it.”