Melrose has a very rich hockey tradition
dating back to the mid 1950s. Coach Henry Hughes had much success, winning
New England Championships in 1950, 1956, and 1962. State Championships
were won in 1952 and 1962. Melrose also dominated the GBL in the 50’s and
early 60’s and then the Middlesex League in winning some thirteen league
titles between 1960 and 1976.
Notable players such as Paul Hurley ’63 (BC), former coach James Umile ’62
(Providence), Charlie Holden ’62 (Harvard) Paul Powers ’73 (UNH), Tim
Burke ’73 (UNH), Daryl MacCleod ’76 (BU), Larry Abbot ’69 (BU), Andy
Brickley ’80 (UNH) and many more wore the red and white while at MHS with
much pride. Many of those players went on to professional careers after
graduation.
The Red Raider teams of today are working hard to carry on this proud
hockey heritage.
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY HISTORY
VOLUME 1: DANNY MUSE
DANNY MUSE CLASS OF 1981
Danny Muse was a
standout athlete for Melrose High School but his legacy was excellence
in ice hockey. In 1980 Muse turned in a record breaking season by
scoring 63 points and eclipsing the Middlesex League scoring record of
61 points which was previously held by former Melrosian Barney Cook.
It was a significant accomplishment considering he was only in his
junior season. His performance that season also earned him prestigious
selections to both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald’s All Scholastic
Hockey Teams propelling him into the elite category of up and coming
prospects.
In his senior
season at MHS Muse recaptured the Middlesex League scoring title
compiling 59 points to become the first player in league history to
win it in back to back seasons. What made the feat more remarkable was
his ability to produce at the high level while fending off the stiffer
coverage schemes and shadowing tactics of the opposing teams to slow
down his game. Melrose Coach Henry Hughes at the time rated Muse as
“one of the best I’ve ever had” “He has great ability to anticipate
what the opposition was going to do and has a God given talent for
putting pucks in the net”. Very compelling praise from the legendary
coach who served the Melrose bench for 33 years. Muse finished his
Melrose career with 134 points which is a scoring record that still
stands today.
Muse was also a
very talented baseball player for Melrose High. As a two time All Star
Captain for the Red Raiders he batted over .400 in both his junior and
senior seasons and pitched his team to the Middlesex league
championship in 1981 with a 7-1 record.
For his talents
Muse was awarded a full hockey scholarship to UNH where he played
Division 1 hockey from 1981-1985. In his collegiate career he
scored 118 points (56 goals and 62 assists) for the Wildcats and
earning recognition as one of only thirty five (35) players in UNH
history to achieve a 100 career point plateau. He also played three
(3) years for the UNH Baseball team before pursuing opportunities at
the NHL level with the Calgary Flames.
Danny Muse Melrose
was one of many great athletes representing the proud city Melrose. We
at salute his many accomplishments on the ice and appreciate his
contributions to this story.
We encourage
other alumni of the rich Melrose Hockey heritage to share their story
with us as well to post on our booster site at
www.melroseredraiders.com
MHS Hockey
2007-2008
MHS Red
Raider 07-08 game results
MHS Hockey
2006-2007
MHS Red
Raider 06-07 game results
MHS
Hockey 2005-2006 MHS
Red Raider 05-06 game results
MHS Hockey
2004-2005 MHS
Red Raider 04-05 game results |
