Marksmen extend Melkert through 2022-23 season

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.- The Fayetteville Marksmen, proud members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, announced Tuesday that head coach Cory Melkert has been extended through the 2022-23 season.

“Fayetteville has been home for me for the last four years and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to call it home,” said Melkert. “We have grown into a top organization in the league from our fans, front office, and hockey team on the ice and we are going to continue that upward trajectory.”

Melkert led the team to a single-season wins record this year and has the third-most wins in the league currently.

“Cory has been an asset to our organization,” said team owner Chuck Norris, “he has been a leader for our hockey team and someone that our guys can look up to and see the path to success.”

“I’d like to thank Chuck and Lanai Norris for the opportunity to continue to build the Marksmen program,” continued Melkert. “We’ve been able to accomplish a lot over the last two years and are looking to continue to build the culture we’ve established.”

Melkert is the fifth head coach in team history and has already racked up the second-most wins of any Marksmen bench boss, behind only his predecessor, Jesse Kallechy (56).

The Marksmen and Melkert march toward the SPHL President’s Cup Playoff with history in mind. If Fayetteville can muster a playoff series win, Melkert will become the winningest head coach in the playoffs in team history.

“I’m excited to see what we can accomplish down the stretch this season and carry it over into next season,” said Melkert.

The Marksmen will head out on the road beginning this Friday for three games in three days at Pensacola. The team remains on the road for two games to start April in Huntsville before returning home for a pair of games vs. Roanoke in the regular season finale.