The Nashville Predators introduce the third season of a program to recognize players and volunteers in the Nashville area who demonstrate character skills that make youth hockey a better experience for all involved. The Nashville Predators will recognize a Youth Hockey Player of the Month and a Youth Hockey Volunteer of the Month each month during the 2007-08 regular hockey season.

During a ceremony held prior to the Nashville Predators’ March 13 home game against the Los Angeles Kings, the Predators organization announced that Alex Melin and Scott Kovach were named Youth Hockey Player and Youth Hockey Volunteer of the Month, respectively, for March. Melin and Kovach were presented with a plaque recognizing their efforts on behalf of the Predators during the ceremony. The two were nominated and selected as part of a Predators hockey development initiative that will regularly recognize a player and volunteer in the Nashville area.

Melin, March Player of the Month, is 12, and plays defense for the Peewee Typhoons, which is a part of Southern Ice Youth League at Southern Ice Arena in Franklin. Melin first began playing hockey five years ago. He started going to hockey games with his family when he lived in Florida, and when the family relocated to Nashville, they were excited the city had an NHL team! Melin attended Preds games, watched on television and got hooked on hockey.

With as little as five hockey seasons in his hockey career, Melin epitomizes the meaning of true youth leadership. On a week when several teammates were unable to play due to illness, Alex played even though he was still not yet recovered from his own illness. He told his father that he was not going to let his team lose the game and his efforts preserved a tie. Alex struggled for breath toward the end of the game, but used all of his remaining energy to diffuse a breakaway in the last 15 seconds of the game.

Melin was nominated by Typhoons Coach James Sligh. “Despite the teams’ record of 0-4-2, his team is still having fun and enjoying their time on the ice and in the locker room. Melin has helped our team remain positive about hockey, despite the fact that we have not won a game, and his efforts in practices and in games provides a good example to the other players”, said Coach Sligh and for this, the Nashville Predators have recognized Alex Melin as the March Youth Hockey Player!

The Nashville Predators are also proud to have named Scott Kovach as the March Youth Hockey Volunteer. Kovach is the coach for the Hawks, which are part of the Hendersonville Inline Hockey Association, which plays at Veterans Park in Hendersonville.

Kovach plays both roller and ice hockey. His son began playing hockey at age six, and Kovach has been coaching his son’s team now for four years. Kovach’s favorite part of being a coach is watching all the new kids learn. He also enjoys watching the veteran kids as they improve.

Kovach was nominated by Monica Pirkle, who is the mother of one of the kids he coaches. According to Mrs. Pirkle, Kovach shows a great deal of respect for each of his players. “Coach Kovach believes in the worth of each and every player. He is truly a positive example of a coach and he teaches kids to play as a team through their strengths and weakness” and for this, the Nashville Predators have recognized him as the March Youth Hockey Volunteer!

For more information on the Predators hockey recognition program, or to nominate a player, volunteer or team making a difference in a youth hockey community, visit Predators Hockey Recognition and nominate someone today!