Barry Melrose Dies at 70: Tributes Pour in for NHL Legend
· Yahoo Sports
Barry Melrose, the former coach of the Wayne Gretzky-led Los Angeles Kings and ESPN’s hockey analyst for almost three decades, has died. He was 70.
The passing was confirmed by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who told The Hollywood Reporter, “From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, Barry Melrose cut an unmistakable figure whenever you were fortunate enough to run into him at a rink or catch him on your television screen.”
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“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,” the statement continued.
ESPN also shared a statement, writing, “For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey. 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.”
A cause of death was not provided. However, in October 2023, Melrose announced he was retiring 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.
He continued, “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.”
Scott Van Pelt, Jeremy Schaap and the ESPN family remember Barry Melrose. pic.twitter.com/nX0HBMY8La
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2026
Melrose began his hockey career as a defenceman in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Chiefs in 1974. He later played for the Springfield Indians, the Cincinnati Stingers, the Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Adirondack Red Wings.
He transitioned into coaching in the late 1980s, most notably leading the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. After the Kings fired Melrose in April 1995, ESPN signed him as a studio analyst for the NHL playoffs. He called games part-time the next season before joining as a full-time analyst for the 1996-97 season.
His ESPN fame also led to other TV roles, including a spot as himself in Mystery Alaska, a 1999 television movie about a small-town hockey club. He also played a version of himself in ABC’s Michael J. Fox sitcom Spin City in 2001 and appeared in the 2002 sequel Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice.
Following the news of Melrose’s passing, fans and friends flooded social media with tributes.
ESPN anchor John Buccigross wrote, “Barry was my best friend at ESPN,. 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.”
ESPN hockey announcer Steve Levy added, “For more than 30 years Barry was the unquestioned face/voice of hockey in the United States. He was a man of the people, a family man, a part of my family. Tonight, I’ll toast to the kid from Kelvington (Saskatchewan) who made it big but never forgot his roots. Now he can drink all the Bud Lights, smoke all the cigars and play all the rounds of golf he wants to. Barry Melrose was the best of us.”
Check out more tributes below.
Just saw the news abt the Legend Barry Melrose and I literally can’t stop the fkn tears rn and I be damn if I try to, you’re worth them all sir may you rest peacefully and may God bless your family and friends with your memories forever. Bucci,Levy,Ms Linda, my condolences.
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) September 10, 2026
ESPN mourns the passing of longtime hockey analyst Barry Melrose
More: https://t.co/hw4ue0USsapic.twitter.com/bgkWYoRs1a
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 10, 2026
An amazing analyst and even better person. Always very kind and generous with his time. https://t.co/KA1V5MuOev
— Evan Wilner (@WilnerRadio) September 10, 2026
I am heartbroken. Barry Melrose was the type of man who always put others first. He was nice to everyone! Talking Hockey with Barry was the best part of my night at ESPN. So grateful to have worked with him for so many years. RIP Barry. Our Beloved Coach Forever.pic.twitter.com/hVcVdK6DHe
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) September 10, 2026
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Barry Melrose.
Barry played parts of two seasons with Detroit and was a Calder Cup-winning coach with the Adirondack Red Wings. He would go on to have an immeasurable impact on the entire hockey world as a beloved TV analyst.… https://t.co/Y4mRateHsMpic.twitter.com/coL0jAkH1b
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 10, 2026
This makes me so sad.
He was an awesome hockey analyst and had such a great sense of humor! One of my favorite #BarryMelrose moments was when he once suggested basketball players should be penalized for NOT knowing how to fight. #RIPhttps://t.co/VNLLN90HpW
— Kathy (@Kapers18) September 10, 2026
There’s no way to know how many people are listening when on the radio but sometimes I could feel it. Whenever Barry Melrose joined us in 2017 and 2018, I could feel how excited the fans were to hear his thoughts on the Preds.
Barry Melrose was the definition of an institution. https://t.co/bxqpRUOvZX
— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) September 10, 2026
I consider it a privilege that Barry Melrose got to be THE ESPN NHL voice of my childhood during a time when the network mostly ignored the sport. He’ll always be a part of what made me fall in love with hockey. RIP to a legend. https://t.co/sPnXA5ZH2i
— Dom DiTommaso (@DomDiTommaso) September 10, 2026
Barry Melrose made hockey feel important to a kid from southern Appalachia, and I know I’m not alone.
There was likely no greater ambassador, teacher, or entrance point to the game for an entire generation of folks. https://t.co/goCg9g7BAM
— Jake Reuse (@ReuseRecruiting) September 10, 2026
I grew up watching Barry Melrose and I was so drawn to everything he said. He had an impact on so many hockey fans in North America through his infectious energy.
Condolences to his friends and family. https://t.co/MccPp7Ikbv
— Kyle Okposo (@bookerT2116) September 10, 2026
The Toronto Maple Leafs are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Barry Melrose.
A hard-nosed defenceman from Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Barry played in 173 of his 300 NHL games with the Maple Leafs and amassed 420 penalty minutes in that time with the club. Following his… pic.twitter.com/Yreu1mIUa1
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 10, 2026
RIP Barry Melrose.
If you were a ’90s kid and loved hockey, Barry was part of your childhood. NHL on ESPN, SportsCenter, that unmistakable voice and personality. A true hockey original.
Rest easy, Coach. pic.twitter.com/0Wt9oubePR
— Barn Hockey (@BarnHockey) September 10, 2026
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