Coach Melnikov grew up in Gomel, Belarus, where he started his hockey career and played 11 years for HC Gomel. At 15, he was called up for U16 Belarus national team tryouts.
After moving to the United States, he played one season for the U16 Cleveland Barons (AAA) and two seasons for the U18 Milwaukee Admirals (AAA), winning the state championship in 2019–20. He started his junior career with the Provo Riverblades (USPHL Premier), finished it with the Fort Wayne Spacemen (USPHL Premier) and played for Indiana Tech.
He was a goalie coach for the Fort Wayne Spacemen for two years and a Fort Wayne Amateur Hockey Association lead instructor for three years before becoming a MEGA lead goalie instructor.
