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Melvin Angelstad

Born:Oct 31, 1971Draft: Undrafted
Hometown:Saskatoon, SaskatchewanPosition:Left Wing
Known For:First Player in NHL History to wear #69 (Regular Season)Shoots:Left
National Team:CanadaCurrent Status:Retired

Melvin Angelstad (born October 31, 1971) is a former Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Washington Capitals during the 2003-2004 season. Undrafted at the NHL level, Angelstad quickly earned a reputation when he recorded 463 penalty minutes in 62 games in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), as a 19-year-old rookie. In 1993, he moved over to the Colonial Hockey League (CoHL) to play for the Thunder Bay Senators, and put up 21 points in 58 games while dropping the gloves with anyone willing to put up their fists. His most productive season came three years later when he registered 31 points and 422 penalty minutes in 66 games with the Thunder Bay Thunder Cats.

After three seasons in the International Hockey League (IHL), two with the Michigan K-Wings and one with the Manitoba Moose, Angelstad joined the American Hockey League (AHL), suiting up for the Portland Pirates. In two seasons, his willingness to drop the gloves dropped off significantly, as did his total point production. He made his NHL debut during the 2003-04 season, appearing in two games and finishing with two penalty minutes and an even rating. He returned to Portland for the remainder of the year, recording just one assist and 118 penalty minutes in 53 games.

Due to a lack of interest from any NHL clubs, Angelstad joined the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) to play two seasons with the Belfast Giants and Newcastle Vipers. He recorded 10 points and 228 penalty minutes in 37 games, but left the league to play in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) for the Adelaide Avalanche. Despite putting up seven points in seven games, Angelstad retired from the sport, spending the next four years away from hockey before a brief return for one season with the Bentley Generals of the Chinook Hockey League. Angelstad, now retired, is a firefighter in the Fort McMurray, Alberta area.

Melvin Angelstad Statistics

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