NEWS

With a heavy heart the AIHL mourns the death of Todd Melton, former coach of the Philadelphia Brawlers. Todd was the owner/operator of The Coliseum Roller Hockey Rink / Berlin Hockey World located in Voorhees, NJ. Melton was also the President of AIRHS (American Inline Roller Hockey Series) a major player in the tournament scene during the 90's. However, Melton was probably best known as founder and coach to the 99ers youth travel program. The 99ers were a model of roller hockey perfection for the better part of a decade, in which Melton crafted and pressed out one amazing player and team after another. The organization was named after Wayne Gretzky, a fact that became obvious to anyone who spoke to him for more than a few minutes, in which his deep love for Gretzky was bound to come out in conversation.

Many would consider Melton one of the modern game's innovators and easily one of the best coaches ever. He won countless national titles in USARS, NARCh, AAU, and AIRHS. He also spent some time as coach to the Team USA program. He retired from the sport in 2001, selling his rink and dissolving AIRHS, but his legacy would live on with the countless players who grew up playing Coliseum and 99ers hockey. Melton made a brief comeback in the sport, as the coach of the AIHL's Philadelphia Brawlers in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. It was reported he passed away from a heart attack sometime on Sunday, March 26, 2012. He was simply a legend in the sport and will be missed.

"On a personal note, I met Todd back in 1993 at the U.S. Junior Olympic games. Since then we became friends. He was a huge part in the development of youth inline hockey for the tri state area. For many years I have played and coached against him and always had the upmost respect for him. The world will be a different place with out him. Rest in peace my old friend" General Manager Mike Manara

Courtesy - AIHLHOCKEY.COM