Melanson, Winterton Sign

During the last few weeks, Kraken prospect Jacob Melanson knew he was coming close to signing his first NHL contract. Wednesday provided that happy moment ­- well, "ecstatic" moment if you ask Melanson's parents back in Nova Scotia.
"I've always dreamed of playing in the NHL," said Melanson during an exclusive Tuesday night conversation. "It's one step closer to my dream."
Melanson signed his contract in assistant general manager Ricky Olczyk's office at Kraken Community Iceplex. He then went out to be part of a scrimmage during the team's development camp featuring 31 prospects, scoring a goal when he finished a slick pass from fellow prospect Luke Henman.

The score was not surprising. Melanson scored 35 goals this season for his Acadie-Bathurst team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season. He scored four more during the QMJHL playoffs. Factoring in his assists, Melanson averaged a point per game while playing a physical game.
"I'm the kind of guy that completes my line with physical play, be intimidating to other teams," said Melanson. "It gives the players on my line [both NHL draftees] more time to make plays. I opened up time and space for my linemates
Pressed that he was being modest - he did score 35 goals and added 21 assists in 54 regular season games - Melanson acknowledged "I knew where to be on the ice."

"I was always getting the puck in good spots," he said. "I gave the players on my line more time and space. I was always getting the puck. And I was good around the net, that's for sure."
Melanson shared his signing day with fellow prospect Ryan Winterton, taking turns in Olczyk's office to put their signatures on contracts. It was fitting in that both forwards have worked through injuries to deliver big years for their teams.
For his part, Melanson broke his collarbone in two successive seasons, finding ways to come back stronger both times.
"I ended up going home [after the second collarbone break] and getting rehab for my shoulder," said Melanson. "I found a trainer back home. Ryan Reynolds [who operates East Coast Athlete in Nova Scotia].
"We clicked and became really close. I wouldn't want anyone else to be my trainer. I worked with him, building my strength and my speed. I returned to my team and it helped me earn my spot on the team."
Winterton missed his 2020-2021 juniors season when the Ontario Hockey League canceled the entire year of play. But his play with Team Canada in the U18 World Championships impressed Kraken scouts, who now look like they got a "steal" drafting Winterton in the third round last summer.

But Winterton's 2021-22 hit another speed bump. He injured his shoulder at his OHL Hamilton's preseason camp (falling awkwardly into the boards). He traveled to Seattle for the Kraken's inaugural training camp but didn't suit up.
The early prognosis on the shoulder was a month's recovery. It stretched into five months, but Winterton used the time to get stronger with a workout program supervised by Kraken sports performance consultant and former NHLer Gary Roberts.
Winterton says the additional strength and muscle was "no doubt" a big plus for his return to the Hamilton lineup, where he averaged two points per game for about month and finished the regular season at about 1.25 points per game average. He was even more efficient during Hamilton's postseason run, which took them to the championship game at the Memorial Cup, falling just short of elite junior Canadian hockey's coveted trophy.
The disappointment of losing the championship game might sting for a bit longer, but signing an NHL entry-level contract Wednesday, and realizing he is valued by Seattle's front office, is the best elixir for hockey dreams.