Coach Al Melanson heading for the Hall

This has been a year to remember for Lynn Jets hockey coach Al Melanson, and although there are times he’d probably like to forget, Thursday night’s induction into the Massachusetts High School Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame isn’t one of them.Melanson suffered a near-fatal heart attack a year ago last February and has spent the better part of the last year or so recovering from a heart transplant.”I feel great,” Melanson said. “I’m physically fit and I’m starting to work out with weights.”One of the biggest hurdles Melanson faces at this point involves his vision. He lost a lot of it as a result of the heart attack and at this point, he’s working to get it back. He has been able to start reading again with help from special eyeglasses that he compared to those used by a jeweler.”I’m learning to read again,” Melanson said. “Once that gets squared away, I think I’ll be in pretty good shape. My vision is coming back. It’s a slow, slow process, but as long as I’m progressing ?”When Melanson is inducted into the Hall of Fame (at Montvale Plaza in Stoneham), he’ll join an impressive group of fellow coaches including Peter Doherty, Reading High; Jack Fletcher, Chelmsford High; Buddy Ferreira, Falmouth; and assistant Reading High coach Mark Doherty. The late Garrett Reagan, who coached at Hingham High, is also being inducted.”This is certainly the most prestigious honor a coach can get,” Melanson said, giving plenty of credit to his players, his fellow coaches and his family for their support.”These guys (his fellow inductees) are legends,” he said. “To be put in that class is totally humbling. I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a great night. I’m not sure I’m deserving of it, but I’ll be there to accept it. I’m not going to ask any questions.”Melanson said in receiving an honor like this, the thing he realizes most is that you don’t get there yourself; your players, your assistant coaches and your family, with its support, are what gets you there.Melanson started coaching high school hockey in 1971-1972 when Lynn Tech (former Trade) opened on Neptune Boulevard. Tech didn’t have a hockey program prior to the move. Melanson remained at Tech until former English High coach Ben Foote retired around 1980-1981. Melanson took over the Bulldogs program and stayed there until around 1992, when he left to spend time watching his son, A.J., play at Exeter and then his other son, Paul. Melanson also served as an assistant coach in Newburyport and Masconomet. He returned to the English High program three seasons ago, taking over for Doug Anderson. When English and Classical merged to form the Lynn Jets the following year, Melanson was named head coach. This past season, with Melanson recovering from his heart transplant, assistant coach Joe Conlon ran the team.Melanson said his coaching future with the Lynn Jets depends primarily on how well his vision improves.”I look at it as the glass being half-full. I look at it like I’ll be back. That’s what I work for,” Melanson said.