Barry Melrose, the former NHL player and coach who spent more than two decades as a signature hockey analyst for ESPN, died Wednesday at the age of 70, according to his wife, Cindy, who confirmed the passing to ESPN’s Steve Levy. Melrose retired from broadcasting in 2023 following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
From NHL Defenceman to Broadcast Icon
Born on July 15, 1956, in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose built a rugged reputation on the ice as a defenceman before transitioning behind the bench and into television studios. The Montreal Canadiens selected Melrose in the second round with the 36th overall pick of the 1976 NHL Draft. He made his league debut on October 10, 1979, with the Winnipeg Jets, recording an assist on a goal by Morris Lukowich during a 4-2 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over a playing career spanning from 1979 to 1986, Melrose appeared in 300 regular-season NHL games for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings, accumulating 10 goals, 33 points, and 728 penalty minutes. He also played three seasons in the World Hockey Association with Cincinnati, collecting five goals and 32 points across 178 appearances.
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Transitioning to coaching in 1987, Melrose immediately found success by leading the Medicine Hat Tigers to a Western Hockey League title and a Memorial Cup victory. After two seasons there, he took over the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League, capturing the Calder Cup during the 1991–92 season. That championship paved the way for his arrival in the NHL as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings ahead of the 1992–93 campaign.
The 1993 Stanley Cup Run With Wayne Gretzky
Melrose achieved a major coaching milestone during his debut season in Los Angeles, guiding a Kings squad spearheaded by Wayne Gretzky, Rob Blake, Luc Robitaille, and goaltender Kelly Hrudey to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Los Angeles finished third in the Smythe Division with a 42-27-11 record before eliminating the Calgary Flames in six games and the Vancouver Canucks in six games. The Kings then defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a seven-game Campbell Conference Final before falling in five games to Patrick Roy and the Montreal Canadiens. Melrose coached the Kings for two additional seasons without returning to the postseason, and later returned to an NHL bench for a brief 16-game stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, finishing his career as an NHL head coach with an 84-108-29 record.
Legacy as ESPN’s Definitive Hockey Voice
Following his coaching tenure, Melrose joined ESPN in 1996, where he became a defining face and voice of hockey coverage. Recognized by fans for his sharp analysis, distinctive personality, and trademark tailored suits, Melrose spent more than twenty years breaking down the sport for millions of viewers. ESPN described him as a trusted and distinctive voice whose deep knowledge of the game left an indelible mark on colleagues and fans alike. Melrose is survived by his wife, Cindy, and his sons, Tyrell and Adrien.