Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach and a longtime ESPN hockey analyst, dies at age 70. Multiple outlets report he dies after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, and that he stepped away from ESPN in 2023 after disclosing his diagnosis.
Melrose’s NHL career included playing in the 1970s and then coaching, with sources noting that he led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final during his first season as an NHL coach. He later became widely known for his on-air hockey commentary, with outlets describing a lengthy ESPN tenure that lasted for decades. Reports broadly agree he became a familiar voice in mainstream hockey coverage in the U.S.
While outlets largely focus on his death, career path, and Parkinson’s, they vary slightly on emphasis: some highlight his coaching connection to the Gretzky-era Kings, others stress his ESPN role and longevity, and a few mention specific career details such as his earlier playing stop with the Cincinnati Stingers in the WHA. Timing details also differ in wording, but they consistently place his ESPN retirement or departure around 2023.
