Mellanby Hangs Up His Skates

The Thrashers have been privileged to have such a great leader and Captain. Mellanby's shoes...err... skates... will be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill. Scott provided amazing leadership on and off the ice - a true professional at every level.

This morning Scott was interviewed on AM 680 The Fan. He mentioned that it was going to be difficult to walk away, as hockey has been his life for over two decades now. He said that his son had asked him if he was playing tonight... and I'm sure that it hit him then when his son didn't understand that he was retiring. He did mention, of course, wanting to stay in hockey in some capacity... he didn't want to go into coaching right away but said that might be a possibility some day. He said he would be talking to DW and BH about the possibility of staying with the organization in some capacity - if that turns out to be true, that would be a priceless asset to the organization.

It's sad to see Mellanby go, and after 20 something years he never got to raise the Cup. Close, but no cigar. He has had one hell of an NHL career, he has truly lived the American Dream, and has a career that most of us could only dream about. He represented the Thrashers well during his time here and I hope that we retire his number. I'd like to see him as a commentator or analyst... he may not have a TV face, but that's the last thing any hockey fan cares about. Scott is a great player, a great man, and I wish him nothing but the very best in whatever he chooses to do.

Thanks Scott for being a great leader and for being an Atlanta Thrasher. Your leadership will be missed and impossible to replace. Best wishes to Scott, his family, and to the Thrashers... they'll need it to try to find someone to fill his skates... it won't be easy at all.