Canucks Name Dan Cloutier Goaltending Coach
by Mark Caswell, Jr.
Jun 14, 2016Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that Dan Cloutier has been named the team's goaltending coach. The Canucks also confirmed that Roland Melanson has been named to the position of Goaltending Coach, Player Development.
"Our team and goaltenders have benefited from some of the best coaching in the League and we're very grateful to continue that tradition with Dan and Rollie in their new roles," said General Manager Jim Benning. "Dan has been instrumental in the development of our goaltending prospects over the past four seasons and will now work with our NHL team on a daily basis in his new role."
"We are also very pleased to have Rollie continue to work closely with our talented, young goaltending prospects. His hard work over the past six years contributed significantly to our franchise having some of the best goaltenders in the NHL. With both Dan and Rollie, we're confident our goaltending will continue to be a position of strength for the future."
Cloutier joins Head Coach Willie Desjardins and the Canucks coaching staff full time after serving four seasons with Vancouver as Goaltending Consultant, Player Development. In that role, Cloutier worked primarily with AHL, junior, and college prospects in the Canucks system. During Cloutier's tenure, Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko enjoyed a dominant 2015.16 season with Boston College, earning the 2016 Mike Richter Award as the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men's hockey. In the 2014.15 AHL season, Jacob Markstrom finished second overall in goals against average (1.88) and save percentage (.934). Prior to joining the Canucks, Cloutier served as goaltending consultant for the Barrie Colts.
A native of Mont-Laurier, Quebec, Cloutier was a member of the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings over a span of 10 NHL seasons, with a career record of 139-142-33, 15 shutouts and a 2.77 goals against average. In five seasons with the Canucks, Cloutier played in 208 games posting 109-68-23 record, 14 shutouts and a 2.42 goals against average.
In his new role, Melanson will work in a development capacity with prospects in Utica and in the college and junior ranks after six seasons as goaltending coach for the Canucks. Under his guidance, the Canucks enjoyed sustained success in the crease. Melanson's first season as goaltending coach saw Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider combine to win the William M. Jennings Trophy with a league-low 2.20 goals against average. Prior to joining the Canucks, Melanson was an Assistant Coach with the Montreal Canadiens from 1997 to 2009, an Assistant Coach and Goaltending Coach for the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats from 1995 to 1997, and a goaltending consultant with the AHL St. John Flames from 1993 to 1995.
The first New Brunswick-born goaltender to play in the NHL, Melanson logged 12 NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens posting a record of 129-106-33 as well as six shutouts. Melanson's playing career is highlighted by three Stanley Cup championships (1981, 1982 and 1983) as a member of the New York Islanders.