Captain, St. Louis Red Raiders
By Leslie Gibson McCarthy
She shoots. She scores. She also works at a dental office, helps rear stepchildren, plays pool, goes country line dancing, watches soap operas and skates backward.
Erica Melcher is team captain and a right winger for the St. Louis Red Raiders, which, according to the team website, is “the best women’s hockey team you’ve never heard of.” The Raiders play in the Women’s Senior C Division of USA Hockey and make their home at Brentwood Ice Arena. Gritty, talented and competitive, they came in second in their division two years ago at the USA Hockey National Championship tournament, held in Green Bay, Wis.
The team is self-financed, with a few sponsors, but Melcher and her teammates—including her twin sister, Rachel White—play because they love the game. If you’re looking for a social club, they warn, this team is not for you.
Why hockey? We were always into sports, my sister and I. My uncle would take us to Blues games. We had penthouse seats at the old Arena. I loved the atmosphere.
Who’s on the team? We’re mostly women in our late 20s, 30s, even 40s. We even have a doctor on our team [Isabelle Kopec].
What was it like to go to the finals in 2004? It was the best experience of my life to hold that second-place trophy. The whole tournament, we were underdogs. Every team there looked professional, with matching uniforms, and there we were with pieced-together uniforms and different-color socks—the Bad News Bears of St. Louis. And then we lost the first game, so every game after was must-win just to make the finals but we pulled ourselves together. That’s what I love about this team—we have a lot of heart.
Do you and Rachel find that you have a special rapport on the ice? I don’t have to think when I’m on the ice with her. I know where she’s going to be, and she knows where I’m going to be. We’ll yell at each other—“C’mon, move your feet, skate!”—but when we get back to the bench, we’re talking to each other, telling each other what we can do better. She’s not afraid to say “Erica, you look like crap today.” I don’t take it personally.
Who’s your enforcer? It’s a no-check league, but it’s definitely physical. Stephanie Sheppard and Rachel [are the enforcers]. It’s hilarious. Someone will come down the boards, and Steph will just lay ’em out. They don’t know what hit them. It’s like running into a brick wall.
What’s your philosophy as team captain? I want to teach the younger girls how to be a part of the team, because, you know, I’m not going to be around forever. [Laughs.] My whole theme for my life is, I’ll try anything twice, because the first time might not have gone right, so you should try it again.
You’re hitting middle age—how long can you play? Oh, I don’t know. I feel it every time we have a major tournament. I have shoulder problems, and it’s nothing for me to go out there, get banged into the boards and have my shoulder pop out—and I’m yelling for Dr. Isabelle to come over, pop my shoulder back in and save me.
What do you do for entertainment? I don’t watch a lot of TV, but, when I do, it’s usually some kind of sporting event. In October, our house was all decked out for the Cardinals. On Sundays, we watch football. My husband, Kent, and I play pool, and we used to do a lot of country line dancing when InCahoots was open. That’s how we met.
Who were your role models growing up? All of the coaches I’ve had—at every level of playing—have been instrumental. Teachers, too: I don’t think teachers have any idea what kind of impact they have on students. I’ve always liked Joe Buck, too. He followed in his dad’s footsteps, but that doesn’t stop him from being the person he is and doing all these things nationally with the NFL and baseball. Yet he still lives in and supports St. Louis.
What motivates you? I don’t get enough sleep, but I’m in the prime of my life, so I might as well make the best of it and do as much as I can.
Do you think you’re a role model? I certainly wouldn’t mind being one. It’s very important to experience different things. Don’t let stereotypes get in your way. Don’t let anyone tell you, “Only a certain type of person would do this.”
