Barry Melrose, who was an NHL player and coach before becoming a celebrated ESPN hockey commentator, died Wednesday at age 70, ESPN announced.
“For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey,” ESPN wrote in a statement. “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.
“We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed.”
Melrose left ESPN in 2023 after a 27-year run after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
He was a fixture on ESPN’s NHL coverage as a studio analyst, gaining fans in the hockey world both for his sharp commentary as well as his signature mullet and goatee.
Melrose came to television after two-plus seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, 1992-93 to 1994-95, with Wayne Gretzky serving as the team captain. The Kings reached the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.
Including a brief stint leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to start the 2008-09 season, Melrose ended up with an 84-108-29-4 record (W-L-T-OTL) as an NHL head coach.
The Kelvington, Saskatchewan, native was a defenseman who played nine seasons of pro hockey. After three seasons with the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA (1976-77 to 1978-79), Melrose appeared in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets (1979-80 to 1980-81), the Toronto Maple Leafs (1980-81 to 1982-83) and the Detroit Red Wings (1983-84 and 1985-86).
In 300 NHL games, Melrose compiled 10 goals, 23 assists and -119 plus-minus rating. He had five goals, 27 assists and a -36 rating in 178 WHA games.
