Barry Melrose, a former NHL player, coach and longtime ESPN analyst, died Wednesday. Melrose’s wife, Cindy, confirmed his death to ESPN. He was a foundational part of ESPN’s hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.” The statement continued: “We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones.
He always kept it interesting and he will be missed.” Born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada, Melrose began his hockey career when he was selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976. His debut came in 1979 with the Winnipeg Jets. Melrose went on to play for teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings until 1986.
He began coaching the following year. Notably, Melrose coached star player Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings, who made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. (He coached the team for three seasons, from 1992 to 1995.) Melrose joined ESPN in 1996, transitioning from a coach to an analyst. In 2023, Melrose received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, after which he retired from the network.
John Buccigross, whom Melrose worked with at ESPN, shared a statement to X calling the former coach his “best friend at ESPN.” “A big brother figure of rock solid values,” he continued. Barry gave his life to hockey and some of his ESPN family, like me, learned of his shocking death today while at a hockey rink in Las Vegas preparing for the upcoming season. Chilling and fitting — the rink was Barry’s home.
A more beloved ESPN institution there has not been. Forever.” Melrose is survived by his wife and two sons, Tyrell and Adrien.
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