Barry Melrose, a celebrated figure in the hockey world as both a player and a coach, and a familiar face on ESPN, has died at the age of 70. His death was confirmed by his wife, Cindy, to his long-time friend and colleague Steve Levy, according to ESPN.
Melrose had been publicly battling Parkinson's disease since 2023. He passed away on Wednesday.
Born in Saskatchewan, Melrose played seven seasons in the NHL before transitioning to coaching. He led teams for parts of four seasons, famously guiding the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals. During his tenure with the Kings, he coached Wayne Gretzky in what would be Gretzky's final Stanley Cup Finals appearance.
Beyond his coaching achievements, Melrose became widely recognized for his charismatic personality, distinctive style, and iconic slicked-back mullet. He joined ESPN in 1996, becoming a prominent voice in the network's hockey coverage for nearly three decades. His decision to step away from broadcasting was prompted by his Parkinson's diagnosis.
Wayne Gretzky reflected on Melrose's impact, stating, "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." Gretzky further described Melrose as the "conductor" of the "finely tuned orchestra" that is the hockey community, emphasizing that "Hockey is more than a game. It's a community."