Barry Melrose, the former NHL defenseman and coach who became one of hockey’s most recognizable television personalities over nearly three decades at ESPN, died Wednesday at age 70. His wife, Cindy, informed the network. Melrose had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023 and retired from broadcasting that year.
He spent nearly 50 years in the game as a player, coach, analyst and commentator. ESPN called him “one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey,” citing his deep knowledge, candor and unmistakable passion.
Born July 15, 1956, in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose was a rugged right-shooting defenseman. He played 178 games in the World Hockey Association with the Cincinnati Stingers, then 300 NHL games from 1979 to 1986 with the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. Combined, that totaled 478 professional games. In the NHL he recorded 10 goals, 33 points and 728 penalty minutes.
After his playing days, Melrose moved quickly into coaching. He won a Memorial Cup with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League and a Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League in 1991-92.
Los Angeles hired him in 1992 at age 35. In his first NHL season he guided a Wayne Gretzky-led Kings team to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Final, defeating Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto without home-ice advantage in any round before falling to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. He coached the Kings through parts of three seasons (79-101-29) before being dismissed mid-1994-95. He later spent 16 games as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09 (5-7-4) and finished his NHL coaching record at 84-108-29-4.
Melrose first appeared on ESPN in 1994-95 and became a fixture starting in 1996. He left briefly in 2008 to coach Tampa Bay, then returned. Working regularly with Steve Levy and John Buccigross, he covered All-Star Games, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Final. He was known as much for his slicked-back mullet, goatee and flamboyant suits as for his straightforward, humorous analysis that helped introduce hockey to a wider American audience. He won an Emmy as a broadcaster.
In October 2023 he announced his retirement after the Parkinson’s diagnosis.
“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,” he said at the time. “I’m beyond grateful for my hockey career, and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called Melrose “a hockey original.”
“From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, 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.”
Wayne Gretzky, speaking when Melrose first disclosed his diagnosis, said: “He’s bigger than any team. For decades, he’s been suiting up — and I mean suiting up — for the game, for the sport, for hockey. … Hockey is more than a game, it’s a community — a finely tuned orchestra — and Barry was our conductor.”
Longtime ESPN colleague John Buccigross wrote: “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. … A more beloved ESPN institution there has not been. We love you, Barry. Forever.”
Los Angeles Kings president Luc Robitaille said Melrose “played an important role in the growth of hockey and its popularity across the United States.”
Melrose is survived by his wife, Cindy, and their sons, Tyrell and Adrien.
