Barry Melrose, a former NHL defenseman, head coach, and longtime ESPN hockey analyst, died on Wednesday, September 9, at the age of 70.
His wife, Cindy Melrose, informed ESPN’s Steve Levy of his death. An official cause of death has not been released by the family. Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023 and retired from ESPN that October to focus on his health and family.
“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. We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed,” ESPN announced in a tribute statement.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league mourned “the passing of a hockey original” and sent condolences to Cindy Melrose and the couple’s sons, Tyrell and Adrien, as well as Melrose’s teammates, colleagues, and admirers.
Barry Melrose, the former NHL player and coach who was a beloved, longtime hockey analyst for ESPN, died Wednesday, his wife, Cindy, told ESPN’s Steve Levy. He was 70. https://t.co/68PGbK6rkI
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2026
Melrose was born July 15, 1956, in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, and grew up on a farm outside town. He was a cousin of former NHL players Wendel Clark and Joe Kocur.
Drafted 36th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976 and selected by the Cincinnati Stingers in the WHA draft, he played defense. He spent three seasons with Cincinnati in the WHA (1976–79), recording 5 goals and 32 points in 178 games.
After the WHA folded, he played 300 NHL games from 1979 to 1986 with the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings, finishing with 10 goals, 23 assists, 33 points, and 728 penalty minutes. His final professional season was with the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL in 1986–87.
He began coaching in 1987–88 with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL and won the Memorial Cup. After a season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, he coached the Adirondack Red Wings and won the Calder Cup in 1992.
The following season he became head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. In 1992–93, with Wayne Gretzky on the roster, the Kings reached the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. Melrose coached Los Angeles through 1994–95. In 2008 he left ESPN briefly to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning, going 5-7-4 in 16 games before returning to broadcasting.
His NHL head-coaching record was 84-108-29.
Melrose joined ESPN as a hockey analyst in 1996 and remained there, aside from the 2008 coaching stint, until 2023. He worked regularly with Steve Levy and John Buccigross on studio coverage of All-Star Games, the playoffs, and the Stanley Cup Final. He also contributed to NHL Network beginning in 2011. ]
He became a U.S. citizen in 1998 and lived in Glens Falls, New York, with his wife. Memorial announcements have not been made by the family at this time.
