Gerry Melnyk
# Gerry Melnyk

Michael Gerald Melnyk (September 16, 1934 – June 14, 2001) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks and St. Louis Blues between 1956 and 1968. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1953 to 1968, was spent in the minor leagues. After retiring in 1968, Melnyk became a scout with the Philadelphia Flyers, a role he would remain at until 1997.

## Playing career

Melnyk began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1956 Stanley Cup playoffs. He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks and St. Louis Blues. After playing the 1967–68 season with the Blues, Melnyk was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers but retired a week prior to the start of the new season. He became a scout for the Flyers and successfully lobbied for the selection of Bobby Clarke at the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft. In 269 regular season NHL games, Melnyk recorded 39 goals and 77 assists for 116 career points.

## Career statistics

### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1951–52 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCJHL | 42 | 29 | 29 | 58 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 2 |
| 1952–53 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCJHL | 36 | 27 | 28 | 55 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 6 |
| 1952–53 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1953–54 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCJHL | 36 | 39 | 49 | 88 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 10 |
| 1953–54 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1953–54 | Edmonton Oil Kings | M-Cup | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 10 |
| 1954–55 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 69 | 14 | 29 | 43 | 24 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 0 |
| 1955–56 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 70 | 37 | 50 | 87 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 1955–56 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956–57 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 60 | 21 | 44 | 65 | 26 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| 1957–58 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 50 | 22 | 40 | 62 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1958–59 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 64 | 30 | 37 | 67 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1959–60 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 63 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1960–61 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 70 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 1961–62 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 63 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1962–63 | Buffalo Bisons | AHL | 72 | 14 | 36 | 50 | 20 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 4 |
| 1963–64 | Buffalo Bisons | AHL | 70 | 11 | 34 | 45 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1963–64 | St. Louis Braves | CHL | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 1964–65 | Buffalo Bisons | AHL | 72 | 22 | 47 | 69 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 1964–65 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965–66 | Buffalo Bisons | AHL | 69 | 18 | 61 | 79 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1966–67 | St. Louis Braves | CHL | 67 | 24 | 47 | 71 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1967–68 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 73 | 15 | 35 | 50 | 14 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| WHL totals | WHL totals | WHL totals | 316 | 125 | 201 | 326 | 114 | 25 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 6 |
| NHL totals | NHL totals | NHL totals | 269 | 39 | 77 | 116 | 34 | 53 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 10 |
