Barry Melrose, former player, coach and ESPN analyst, dies - ESPN

Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach who was a beloved hockey analyst for ESPN for over 25 years, died Wednesday, his wife, Cindy, told ESPN's Steve Levy.

He was 70.

Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023, leading to his retirement from ESPN. He joined the network in 1996.

«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. He was a foundational part of ESPN's hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.

»We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed."

Melrose served as coach of the Wayne Gretzky-led Los Angeles Kings, taking them to the Stanley Cup Final in the first of his three seasons (1992 to 1995). He stepped away briefly from ESPN in 2008 to return to the bench, this time as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games.

Overall, he had an 84-108-29 record as a head coach.

At ESPN, millions watched him as a studio analyst, and within the company's walls, he was lauded as the consummate teammate.

He was known for his witty personality, flashy suits and recognizable goatee, slicked-back hair and mullet, which endeared him to hockey fans worldwide. He regularly worked alongside Levy and John Buccigross on ESPN's hockey coverage, including All-Star Games, Stanley Cup playoffs and the Cup Final.

«Barry was my best friend at ESPN,» Buccigross wrote on social media Wednesday night. «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,