Barry Melrose, the former NHL coach who starred as an ESPN hockey analyst, has died at age 70, the network announced.
“For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey. His knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing and his passion was unmistakable,” ESPN said in a statement. “He was a foundational part of ESPN’s hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.”
Melrose had retired from his broadcasting duties in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey. 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,” Melrose said in a statement at the time.
“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.”
Melrose, a defenseman, played 478 games in the NHL and World Hockey Association and went into coaching after his retirement.
After stints in the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League − winning titles in both leagues − he began coaching the Los Angeles Kings in 1992. He took the Wayne Gretzky-led team to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season. The Kings lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games in that series.
He coached the Kings for another two seasons and was fired in the third season. He also briefly coached the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09 and finished his NHL coaching career with a 84-108-29-4 record.
Between and after the coaching stints, he was a popular ESPN studio analyst who helped grow the game. He was noted for his candid observations and his trademark mullet.
“For more than 30 years Barry was the unquestioned face/voice of hockey in the United States,” longtime ESPN hockey announcer Steve Levy said in a statement. “He was a man of the people, a family man, a part of my family, Tonight, I’ll toast to the kid from Kelvington (Saskatchewan) who made it big but never forgot his roots. Now he can drink all the Bud Lights, smoke all the cigars and play all the rounds of golf he wants to. Barry Melrose was the best of us.”
Said ESPN’s John Buccigross on X: “Barry was my best friend at ESPN. A big brother figure of rock solid values. I am shook to my core. Barry gave his life to hockey and some of his ESPN family, like me, learned of his shocking death today while at a hockey rink in Las Vegas preparing for the upcoming season. Chilling and fitting–the rink was Barry’s home. A more beloved ESPN institution there has not been. We love you, Barry. Forever.”