Former professional hockey player and coach Barry Melrose, who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before establishing a long career as a television analyst, has died at the age of 70.
ESPN announced his death on Wednesday after being informed by his wife.
“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,” NHL Commissioner Gary 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.”
Melrose stepped down from his broadcasting duties in 2023 following a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. At the time of his retirement, Wayne Gretzky described him as “bigger than any team.”
Recognizable by his goatee and slicked-back hair, Melrose delivered insightful, humorous commentary with an approachable, everyday style.
“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.”
A native of rural Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose began his professional playing career in 1976 with the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association. He played three seasons in Cincinnati—teaming up with a young Mark Messier in his final year—and moved to the NHL with Winnipeg in 1979 after the WHA folded.
He later played for Toronto and Detroit, ending his playing career following the 1985-86 season.
Over 300 regular-season NHL games, Melrose recorded 10 goals, 33 points, and 728 penalty minutes, along with seven playoff appearances. In 178 WHA games for Cincinnati, he tallied five goals, 32 points, and 343 penalty minutes.
Transitioning to coaching, Melrose led the American Hockey League’s Adirondack Red Wings to a Calder Cup title in 1992.
The Los Angeles Kings hired him the following year. Bringing colorful flare and immediate success, he coached a Gretzky-led squad through a memorable playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to Montreal in five games.
Melrose posted a 79-101 record with 29 ties over two-plus seasons in Los Angeles before being dismissed midway through the 1994-95 season.
He joined ESPN in 1996, taking a brief pause to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning during Steven Stamkos’ rookie 2008-09 season. Fired 16 games into the year following a 5-7-4 start, he quickly returned to broadcasting.
Off the ice, Melrose was known for his long-ball power in fast-pitch softball, joining fellow Kelvington-area NHL players Wendel Clark, Joey Kocur, Kelly Chase, and Kevin Kaminski during Saskatchewan offseasons to form what some called “the toughest team there ever was.”
