Hockey is mourning the loss of Barry Melrose, the former NHL player, coach, and longtime ESPN analyst, who died Wednesday at age 70, as confirmed by his wife Cindy. A defenseman from Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose played 11 professional seasons before coaching the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final alongside Wayne Gretzky. He went on to a nearly 30-year broadcasting career at ESPN, becoming one of hockey’s most recognizable voices, known for his mullet, his sharp commentary, and his genuine passion for the game. Melrose stepped away from broadcasting in 2023 after a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Melrose “never failed to boost your love of the game of hockey.”
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