Barry Melrose, the former NHL coach who starred as an ESPN hockey analyst, has died at age 70, the network reported.
Melrose had retired from his broadcasting duties in 2023 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.
“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, a defenseman, played in the NHL and World Hockey Association and went into coaching after his retirement.
After stints in the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League, he began coaching the Los Angeles Kings in 1992 and took the Wayne Gretzky-led team to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season. The Kings lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games in that series.
He coached the Kings for another two seasons and was fired in the third season. He also briefly coached the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09.
Between the coaching stints, he was a popular ESPN studio analyst noted for his observations and his trademark mullet.
“Barry was my best friend at ESPN,” John Buccigross posted on X. “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.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Barry Melrose, former NHL coach and longtime ESPN analyst, dies at 70
