Thrashers Captain Scott Mellanby Announces Retirement

[Smerri1029]

Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Thrashers captain Scott Mellanby announced today that he has officially retired from the National Hockey League. Mellanby, 40, has enjoyed an illustrious NHL career, registering 840 points (364 goals, 476 assists), along with 2,479 penalty minutes in 1,431 career games over 21 seasons with the Flyers, Oilers, Panthers, Blues and Thrashers. He finishes his career tied for 17th on the NHL all-time games played list. Mellanby tallied 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 136 playoff games and appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals with Philadelphia in 1987, and Florida in 1996.

“I’ve been fortunate to live my dream for the past 21 years, and it’s with a heavy heart that I’m retiring from the National Hockey League,” said Mellanby. “I’d like to thank all of my great teammates, the fans who have supported me, and all the wonderful people I have met along the way.”

Mellanby signed with Atlanta as a free agent on July 25, 2004 and was named the franchise’s fifth captain on Sept. 27, 2005. He registered 70 points (24 goals, 46 assists) in 140 games over two seasons with the Thrashers and became just the 24th player in NHL history to skate in 1,400 games on Jan. 20, 2006.

“Scott is a tremendous individual who has earned our utmost respect as a true professional both on and off the ice,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. “He has helped our organization grow and has played an important role in helping shape a culture that will allow the Thrashers to be successful for many years to come.”

The native of Montreal, Quebec received the 2007 Thrashers’ Gilner-Reeves Community Service Award and was also the team’s nominee for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy and Masterton Memorial Trophy.

“It was a real honor to coach Scott and I wish I could have begun working with him earlier in his career,” said Head Coach Bob Hartley. “His experience and respect in the locker room was invaluable to the success of our club. He has helped show our younger players what it means to be a professional and how to represent an organization with class."

[Smerri1029]

It's official now.

Shame to see a player like Scott retire, especially without ever getting his name on the Cup.

[Kingdog819]

I think it was the right time for him to hang up the skates. He had a great career and had nothing to be ashamed about....

[Beyond Salem]

Scott put up a fantastic career over his 21 years in the NHL. 21 years!

The only thing he did not get was a Stanley Cup, but he went to the finals at least twice -with the Flyers in 1987 and Florida in 1996.

[stevecanuck16]

Class act, great player and a true warrior. Congrats on your career, Scott, and best of wishes in your retirement.

[jkidd]

Gonna miss you Scott. Kind of selfish, but I wish you'd keep playing just to be able to keep watching how hockey should be played.

Best of luck with retirement, and please find a job with the NHL to get hockey back to the way it should be played... how you played the game.

[Isles4life]

Mellanby was exactly the kind of player you would always want on your team. He was a warrior and always willing to stick up for teammates and be a leader on the ice. I agree that is sad a guy like him has to leave the league without a Cup to his name.

[Lead]

Sad to see him go. He was a real warrior.
Very soon players like him will dissapear forever in this crap league.

[Fighting Wombats]

Atlanta should feel honored to have this guy be on their team and serve as their captain the last couple of years!!

Thanks Scott!!

[PinoyRon51]

Florida's second captain......sad to see him go. He was the one who started the whole rat trick craze when i was 8. Hopefully you will see him in a coaching role with a team in the NHL.

Best wishes to Scott Mellanby.

[PhantomsSTH1977]

That's sad news. been watching him play since i was like 7 years old...Coaching career next?

[canuckfan]

I'm also going to miss Mellanby - he was a helluva warrior and good hockey player - the perfect guy to have on your team.

One thing I didn't realize about Mellanby was his offensive stats - the guy player over 20 years and only ONCE failed to score more than 10 goals in any single season - and that was during his younger years in an injury shortened season with the Flyers - unbelievable! Even as an old goat he was still finding ways to hit double digits. What a hockey player!

I remember when the Panthers traded him to St. Louis, Mellanby was scheduled to be an UFA at the end of that season - there was a buzz going around Vancouver that the Canucks were interested in him, but the Blues re-signed him quick and he remained a Blue until after the lockout. Too bad too, I would have loved to have seen him in a Canucks jersey alongside Bertuzzi - those two had a good little rivalry for a few years there. Good luck to you, Scott!

[ValJamesRules]

What team do you guys remember Scott being a member of? What jersey do you see him wearing? Me...I (unfortunately) see him in a Philly jersey, because that's when I first recall watching him!!

[PinoyRon51]

Originally Posted by ValJamesRules

What team do you guys remember Scott being a member of? What jersey do you see him wearing? Me...I (unfortunately) see him in a Philly jersey, because that's when I first recall watching him!!

Panther for life.........

[nyislesfan45]

i wish the isles had him as captain...great player