Mellema, who is a member of Calvin CRC in Norton Shores, stands with Grand Rapids Griffins’ Captain Josiah Didier.
(Photo courtesy of Local SportsJournal)
By Local Sports Journal
If you’re in a position of leading young men in the virtues of a Christian lifestyle, you’ll find no better mentor than Tom Mellema.
The Grand Rapids Griffins’ American Hockey League team has been blessed with his knowledge and leadership off the ice for 23 years as their team chaplain.
Who better to serve in a position as chaplain than a man who has lived his entire life in service to others? Mellema is a man who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.
When you spend time with Mellema, it doesn’t take long to see that he is a man with deep Christian values. He has many life lessons to share and he always enjoys a good chat. His easy manner, quick wit and charm are effortless and endearing. It’s like talking to a best friend—no pressure, just positive and truth-filled conversations.
In 2000, Mellema retired from Fruitport Community Schools after 30 years. He taught both math and science.
To be a teacher, you must know how to connect with your audience. That’s not easy to do when you’re trying to get a teenager excited about math or science. But for Mellema, it came naturally.
His laid-back, easy-going spirit and wit made going to class enjoyable for his students.
Once school was out, he didn’t stop working, but continued his life of service in the farming business. Mellema has never been the type to while away in a recliner, reading a novel with his feet up.
Mellema bought an 80-acre farm in Nunica the day before he married his wife of now 50 years, Mary Ann. They share two children and two grandchildren.
The farm produces a plethora of fruits and vegetables, as well as wheat and rye. They sell locally to the outlying community during the growing months. John, their son, helps with the day-to-day operations. “I hope one day he takes it all over,” said Mellema. “We also have another business as well.’’
The Mellemas also sell farm chemicals and currently have customers in 10 states.
A “man who wears many hats” would accurately describe the teacher/farmer/entrepreneur/hockey nut. But what would intrigue him enough to want the position of the Griffins’ chaplain? This calling—to be involved in hockey ministry—most likely began years before that fateful phone call.
While attending Muskegon Community College, Mellema took a job at the L.C. Walker Arena, now known as Trinity Health Arena. He did everything from cleaning to setting up for events—until the day they asked him to drive the object of everyone’s affection, the ice-smoothing Zamboni.
“I did that for about 10 years,” Mellema continued. “I even came home on weekends to work once I was at Michigan State as a grad student.”
This gave Mellema the opportunity to get to know some of the players, including former Muskegon Mohawk goalie Glenn “Chico” Resch, who eventually climbed the hockey ladder and spent 13 years playing goalie in the National Hockey League.
One day Mellema received a phone call from Resch who wanted to ask a favor of his old friend.
“He asked me to connect with a player named Tomas Kapusta,” said Mellema. Kapusta was arriving from the Czech Republic to play hockey in town for the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League.
Both Resch and Mellema knew this young man would be alone in a foreign country where he knew nobody and life would be tough for this new member of the team. Mellema stepped up and reached out to Kapusta, who hailed from Zlin in the Czech Republic. That was during the 1999-2000 season.
“We developed a very close bond,’’ he continued. “We had Tomas and his wife, Julie, over for dinner,” said Mary Ann. “They came for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter too.”
There were many more dinners and family gatherings over the short time the Kapusta family was in the U.S., according to Mary Ann. The Kapustas had found a “family” in the United States. A family that opened their home and hearts to him and his own.
The families became so close that the Kapusta’s asked Mellema to be the Godfather to their only son, Sammy. They also have a daughter.
Both Resch and former Mohawk teammate, Don Liesemer, encouraged Mellema to join an organization called Hockey Ministries International soon afterwards. The HMI group is out of Montreal, Canada and supports more than 300 hockey teams in 42 leagues—including the NHL, IHL, AHL, ECHL and junior teams. Liesemer is on staff at HMI. The mentors or chaplains provide players with a message, a prayer time, and an opportunity to talk about what is going on in their lives. The group also runs hockey camps for more than 2,000 youth.
In 2002, Mellema was working with Bill Huston, who also works for the Christian publication Daily Bread. Huston’s daily duties weren’t working out with the team’s schedule, so Mellema stepped up to take on the role of chaplain of the Griffins.
“You have to be flexible with your time,” Mellema said. “It’s not when I’m ready, it’s when they’re ready,” he said about the interactions between chaplain and players. “We never meet on game days, and I don’t push religion, I’m just there for them when they are done “working.”
The position is totally volunteer.
“I spend maybe 3 days a month in chapel,” he said. “I’ve had as few as three players and as many as 10. This year I have about six regular attendees on average.
“Hockey players are scared to death of chaplains,” Mellema quipped. “At the beginning of the season, when I’m introduced is the only time I talk about religion. And it’s only if kids ask on their own time. The players watch you,” Mellema said. “I help when I can and don’t get in their way. I tell them (the players) let them see you live, and don’t push religion.”
With the day-to-day responsibilities of chaplain also comes with a surprise now and again. Mellema even officiated a wedding and a funeral in his career.
“I was honored to be asked to reside over the funeral of Griffins’ video coach Bill LeRoy.”
LeRoy’s brother, Tim, who was the head equipment manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, contacted Mellema and asked if he would officiate.
The number of chapel attendees has grown, according to Mellema. “Because we have more players reaching AHL levels in the U.S.” Churches are more prevalent in the U.S. than in Canada and a lot of the kids have some church upbringing.
For Mellema, he’d like to stick around in his position for another couple years with the Griffins. He’s been around hockey his entire life, even playing until just a couple of years ago.
“Every rink has its smell,” he said. “It’s the puck hitting the boards. And the players.”
That’s what keeps Mellema coming back. It’s a sense of family that has brought comfort to so many players through the years.
“Tom takes them (the players) hunting and fishing as well as the family dinners,” said Mary Ann. “They are welcome in our home anytime. They just come to hang out on the farm and spend time with family.” Mary Ann estimates they have had more than 50 players over to their home for dinners and fishing/hunting gatherings over the years.
“Many were repeat visitors.”
And what is Mellema’s most important message for young players?
“Let your light SHINE!” and “Let others see what it’s like to have God in your life, with the way you treat others and the way you live.”
Words to live by from a man who has lived a life of service.
