Barry Melrose Dies at 70: Tributes Pour in for Legendary NHL Broadcaster & Coach

Martin Holmes
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Barry Melrose
Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images

What To Know

  • Barry Melrose, former NHL coach and longtime ESPN hockey analyst, has died at age 70.
  • Melrose was renowned for leading the LA Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final and later becoming a beloved voice for hockey fans at ESPN.
  • His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, players, and fans.

Barry Melrose, the former coach of the Wayne Gretzky-led Los Angeles Kings and ESPN’s hockey analyst for almost three decades, has died. He was 70.

The passing was confirmed by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who told The Hollywood Reporter, “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,” the statement continued.

ESPN also shared a statement, writing, “For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey. 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.”

A cause of death was not provided. However, in October 2023, Melrose announced he was retiring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey. It’s now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next,” Melrose said in a statement at the time.

He continued, “I’m beyond grateful for my hockey career, and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years. Thanks for the incredible memories and I’ll now be cheering for you from the stands.”

Melrose began his hockey career as a defenceman in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Chiefs in 1974. He later played for the Springfield Indians, the Cincinnati Stingers, the Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Adirondack Red Wings.

He transitioned into coaching in the late 1980s, most notably leading the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. After the Kings fired Melrose in April 1995, ESPN signed him as a studio analyst for the NHL playoffs. He called games part-time the next season before joining as a full-time analyst for the 1996-97 season.

His ESPN fame also led to other TV roles, including a spot as himself in Mystery Alaska, a 1999 television movie about a small-town hockey club. He also played a version of himself in ABC’s Michael J. Fox sitcom Spin City in 2001 and appeared in the 2002 sequel Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice.

Following the news of Melrose’s passing, fans and friends flooded social media with tributes.

ESPN anchor John Buccigross wrote, “Barry was my best friend at ESPN,. A big brother figure of rock solid values. I am shook to my core. 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. We love you, Barry. Forever.”

ESPN hockey announcer Steve Levy added, “For more than 30 years Barry was the unquestioned face/voice of hockey in the United States. He was a man of the people, a family man, a part of my family. Tonight, I’ll toast to the kid from Kelvington (Saskatchewan) who made it big but never forgot his roots. Now he can drink all the Bud Lights, smoke all the cigars and play all the rounds of golf he wants to. Barry Melrose was the best of us.”

Check out more tributes below.

Barry Melrose



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  1. E

    Ealgylden

    Mystery Alaska was not a television movie. It had a theatrical release, though admittedly not a money-making one.

    RIP, Barry Melrose.