ESPN announced his death on Wednesday after being informed by his wife. Former NHL player, coach and longtime ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose has died at the age of 70.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Melrose, saying his trademark mullet, colourful jackets and candid analysis made him one of hockey’s most distinctive voices.
“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,” Bettman said.
NHL to Stanley Cup coach to ESPN analyst: A full sportsman career
He began his professional career with the Cincinnati Stingers in the World Hockey Association in 1976. During his NHL playing career, Melrose appeared in 300 regular-season games. He scored 10 goals and 33 points while recording 728 penalty minutes. He also played 178 games in the WHA before that league folded. After leading the Adirondack Red Wings to the 1992 American Hockey League Calder Cup title, he became head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. In his first NHL coaching season, Melrose guided a Kings team led by Wayne Gretzky to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, where Los Angeles lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. He finished his Kings tenure with a 79-101-29 record.
Melrose was born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan. He later joined the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets and then moved on to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. Melrose found greater success behind the bench.
