Barry Melrose, a former NHL coach and longtime ESPN analyst, has died following a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 70.
“For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey,” ESPN said in a statement on Wednesday, September 9. “His knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing, and his passion was unmistakable. He was a foundational part of ESPN’s hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.”
The statement concluded, “We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed.”
Melrose’s storied hockey career included coaching Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993, where the Kings ultimately fell to the Montreal Canadiens, four games to one.
He previously played hockey professionally for the Western Hockey League before graduating to the NHL for stints with the Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. The athlete retired as an active NHL player in 1986 after competing in 300 games.
Melrose returned to the Western Hockey League to begin his coaching career, leading the Medicine Hat Tigers to a Memorial Cup title in 1987. He landed an NHL coaching job with the L.A. Kings in 1992 and later had a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In 1996, Melrose joined ESPN as a hockey color commentator alongside longtime colleague John Buccigross. It was Buccigross, 60, who announced in October 2023 that Melrose had retired from ESPN after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey,” Melrose later said in a statement. “It’s now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next.”
He added, “I’m beyond grateful for my hockey career, and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years. Thanks for the incredible memories and I’ll now be cheering for you from the stands.”
Barry was survived by his wife, Cindy, and two sons, Tyrell and Adrien.
Following the announcement of the hockey star’s death, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Barry’s unique place in hockey history.
“From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, Barry Melrose cut an unmistakable figure whenever you were fortunate enough to run into him at a rink or catch him on your television screen,” Bettman, 74, said in a statement on Wednesday. “You were even more fortunate if you engaged him in conversation or listened to his analysis because he never failed to boost your love of the game of hockey.”
The NHL commissioner went on to describe Barry as a “rangy and rugged defenseman” who had “truly made his mark upon the game.”
“We mourn the passing of a hockey original. And we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Cindy, their sons, Tyrell and Adrien, and all of his teammates, colleagues and admirers around the hockey world,” Bettman concluded.
