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If there’s a team that’s had better coached, and prepared, goalies than the Vancouver Canucks in the past seven years, there’s not more than one.

Rollie Melanson’s arrival in 2010 coincided with a golden era for goaltending in Vancouver.

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We’re about to find out if it can continue without him. Melanson and the Canucks agreed to part ways, allowing him out of his contract to take a job with the New Jersey Devils, reuniting with Cory Schneider.

“Last year, he wanted to set back a little bit because his mom was not well and we worked out a situation that was beneficial for both parties,” said Vancouver President Trevor Linden. “We weren’t really sure how it was going to be after a year. Rollie’s done a good job. He’s a good coach. I fully supported him in this opportunity which he thought was the right fit.”

There is no question that Melanson, who had a year remaining on his Vancouver deal, helped end the Canucks’ rep for being a goalie graveyard by coaching up stars and developing projects into viable options.