Barry Melrose, a former NHL player, coach, and a prominent voice in hockey broadcasting for nearly three decades, died Wednesday. He was 70.

ESPN confirmed Melrose's death after his wife informed a former colleague. Melrose, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023, retired from the network at that time. He joined ESPN in 1996 and became a recognizable figure on the network's hockey coverage.

"For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey," ESPN said 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."

Melrose's broadcasting style was characterized by an everyman's approach, a sense of humor, and his signature goatee and slicked-back hair. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman noted Melrose's unique presence, stating, "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."

Before his extensive broadcasting career, Melrose played professionally in the World Hockey Association and the NHL. He began his professional career in 1976 with the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA and later played in the NHL for Winnipeg, Toronto, and Detroit. He concluded his playing career following the 1985-86 season, accumulating 10 goals and 33 points in 300 regular-season NHL games.

Melrose also had a stint as a coach. He briefly returned to coaching in 2008, serving as the head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games. His NHL coaching record stands at 84 wins, 108 losses, and 29 ties.

Colleagues remembered Melrose fondly. John Buccigross, a longtime ESPN colleague, described Melrose as a "big brother figure" and a central part of the ESPN family. "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," Buccigross wrote on social media.

Melrose's career highlights include coaching the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, and their two children.