Former NHL coach and longtime analyst Barry Melrose passed away at age 70 on Wednesday.
Melrose, who was a longtime analyst with ESPN, retired in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
He most notably coached Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993 before they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.
In 2008, he coached the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games. He had an 84-108-29 record in his NHL career as a coach.
“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. 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,” said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement.
“A rangy and rugged defenseman from Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Barry fashioned an 11-year pro career in the NHL, AHL and WHA. But it was as a coach, who guided the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, and as a broadcaster, who spent 27 years at ESPN, that he truly made his mark upon the game. And during those countless encounters over the years with players, coaches, fans and viewers who couldn’t help but be drawn in by his enthusiasm.
“We mourn the passing of a hockey original. And we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Cindy, their sons, Tyrell and Adrien, and all of his teammates, colleagues and admirers around the hockey world.”
Melrose coached the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers to a Memorial Cup title in 1987 and was also behind the bench for the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-92 season.
He went on to coach the American Hockey League’s Adirondack Red Wings for three seasons (1989-92), winning a Calder Cup title in 1991.
As a player, the Kelvington, Sask., native skated in 300 career NHL games split between the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, scoring 10 goals with 33 points and 728 penalty minutes as a defenceman.
