St. Louis forward Melton earns call to the NAHL

November 21, 2014

The Corpus Christi IceRays of the NAHL have recalled affiliate forward Frankie Melton from the St. Louis Jr. Blues of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). This is his first experience in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), and he is the second affiliate to be recalled by the IceRays this season.

 

Melton, 17, has played 18 games with the Jr. Blues this season, recording 16 goals and nine assists for 25 points with 43 penalty minutes and a minus-two. He currently leads the Jr. Blues in goals and points, and he ranks amongst the league leaders in goals and points: second in goals and tied for 11th in points. The St. Louis, Mizz. native comes into the weekend on a six-game point streak, recording eight goals and four assists in that span.

 

“Frankie has been dominant to date in the NA3HL as a 17-year-old,” said IceRays Head Coach John Becanic. “It is typically a league that is dominated by older players, but Frankie has found a way to find the back of the net early and often. I am excited to see what he can do this weekend at our level in the absence of [Joe] Chitwood and [Connor] Kelly.”

 

The 5-foot-7, 165-pound forward will fill-in for forward Joe Chitwood, who is still serving his six-game suspension, and forward Connor Kelly, who has been suspended one game. He joins defenseman Keenan Spillum as the only 17-year-old skaters on the roster.

 

“This is a great challenge for me, and you have to step up,” said Melton. “You have to work hard and stay strong. The hardest part is being away from home, but you just have to battle harder.”