Barry Melrose, Entertaining ESPN Hockey Analyst, Dies at 70
After 11 pro seasons as a rugged player, he led the L.A. Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season as an NHL coach, then handled colorful commentary from 1994-2022.
Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach, passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. His death was confirmed by his wife, Cindy, to ESPN, his long-time employer. ESPN expressed their condolences, stating that Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey. He joined ESPN as a lead hockey analyst and commentator in 1996 and retired from broadcasting in 2023.
Before his broadcasting career, Melrose coached the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season. He also briefly returned to coaching in 2008, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games. Apart from coaching, Melrose was a professional hockey player for 11 seasons, playing for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings.
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