Barry Melrose, Former NHL Player, Coach and ESPN Analyst, Dies at 70
Barry Melrose, the former NHL player and coach who became one of the most recognizable voices in hockey as an ESPN analyst, died Wednesday at the age of 70.
His wife, Cindy, confirmed his death to ESPN's Steve Levy.
Melrose, who joined ESPN in 1996, retired from the network in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. For more than two decades, he was a familiar presence on television, covering NHL games, the Stanley Cup playoffs, All-Star Games and the Stanley Cup Final.
“For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey,” ESPN said in a statement. “His knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing, and his passion was unmistakable.”
Melrose also enjoyed a successful career behind the NHL bench. He was hired by the Los Angeles Kings in 1992 and coached the team for three seasons, guiding Wayne Gretzky and the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season. Los Angeles ultimately lost the championship series to the Montreal Canadiens in five games.
Melrose briefly returned to coaching in 2008, taking over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He coached the team for 16 games before returning to his broadcasting career. Overall, he finished his NHL head-coaching career with an 84-108-29 record.
A Beloved ESPN Personality
At ESPN, Melrose became known for his outspoken personality, humor, colorful suits and distinctive mullet and goatee. He frequently worked alongside Steve Levy and John Buccigross and became a beloved figure among hockey fans.
Buccigross paid tribute to Melrose on social media, describing him as his best friend at ESPN and a big-brother figure.
“Barry gave his life to hockey,” Buccigross wrote, adding that the hockey rink was fittingly “Barry's home.”
Levy also remembered Melrose as a close friend and family man, saying he had been “the unquestioned face/voice of hockey in the United States” for more than 30 years.
A Respected Coach
Melrose's coaching career began in 1987 with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. He guided the team to the Memorial Cup championship.
He later coached the Seattle Thunderbirds during the 1988-89 season before taking charge of the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League. In 1991, he led Adirondack to the Calder Cup championship.
His success eventually earned him the opportunity to coach the Kings, where he worked with Gretzky during one of the most memorable periods in Los Angeles hockey history.
Rob Blake, a Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman who played for Melrose with the Kings, remembered him as a passionate coach and an exceptional person.
“He was just a terrific person to be in charge of our team,” Blake told ESPN. “A real big personality and he was a pleasure. He loved the game of hockey.”
Tony Granato, another former King, recalled Melrose's ability to command attention.
“He could light up a room,” Granato said. “There was no phoniness to him. He just was himself.”
Playing Career
Melrose was born in rural Kelvington, Saskatchewan, and spent 11 years as a professional hockey player.
He played three seasons in the World Hockey Association with Cincinnati from 1976 to 1979, where he briefly teamed with a young Mark Messier.
Melrose later played in the NHL as a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings from 1979 to 1986.
He appeared in 300 NHL games, recording 10 goals and 33 points while accumulating 728 penalty minutes. In 178 WHA games, he recorded five goals, 32 points and 343 penalty minutes.
Tributes From Across Hockey
Wayne Gretzky paid tribute to Melrose when he retired from ESPN in 2023, describing hockey as a community and calling Melrose its conductor.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also remembered Melrose for his unmistakable appearance and his ability to connect with hockey fans.
“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 said. “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.”
Melrose is survived by his wife, Cindy, and their two sons, Tyrell and Adrien.
His career spanned professional hockey as a player, coach and broadcaster, but it was his unmistakable personality and lifelong passion for the sport that made him one of hockey's most beloved figures.
No comments