Phoenix Coyotes‘ 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft (#88 overall) defenseman James Melindy(4) spent the start of his rookie season on the injured reserve list with minor league affiliate Portland Pirates.
Finally healthy enough at the turn of the new year he made it back into the lineup and through 14 AHL games he has his first pro marker but a -8 rating on a team that struggles at times.
At 6’3″ 187 lbs. he’s a pretty big, mostly stay-at-home style blue liner but he did show some offensive upside in his last couple campaigns of junior hockey with Moncton Wildcats before deciding to turn pro after his third year.
Signed to a three-year entry level deal through 2016, the recently just turned 20-year old is probably viewed by the parent club as a work in progress despite his pretty high selection but looks to have the ability to break out sooner than later and could get an NHL look as soon as next season.