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Barry Melrose, the former professional hockey player and coach who guided the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup finals prior to embarking on a lengthy career as a sports broadcaster, has passed away at the age of 70.
His passing was announced by ESPN on Wednesday, following notification from his wife.
“Whether recognizing him by his signature mullet or the wide lapels of his iconic long suit jackets, Barry Melrose was a truly unforgettable presence whenever you encountered him at an arena or saw him on TV,” stated NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. “Having a chat with him or hearing his commentary was an even greater privilege, as his passion invariably deepened your own appreciation for the sport of hockey.”
In 2023, Melrose retired from broadcasting following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. At that time, Wayne Gretzky remarked that Melrose’s influence was “greater than any single franchise.”
Known for his down-to-earth on-air personality, Melrose infused his analysis with humor and was instantly identifiable by his slicked-back hair and goatee.
“Over many decades, Barry Melrose established himself as one of hockey’s most recognizable and reliable commentators,” ESPN expressed in an official statement. “He possessed a profound understanding of the sport, a wonderfully honest perspective, and an undeniable enthusiasm.”
Hailing from the rural town of Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose began his professional career in 1976 with the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association, a league that has since folded. He spent three seasons playing in Cincinnati, sharing the ice with a youthful Mark Messier during his final year there. Following the dissolution of the WHA, he migrated to the NHL, joining Winnipeg in 1979.
Subsequently, Melrose suited up for Toronto and Detroit, concluding his playing days following the 1985-86 campaign.
Over his 300 regular-season games in the NHL, he accumulated 10 goals, 33 points, and 728 penalty minutes, additionally appearing in seven postseason matchups. During his WHA tenure with Cincinnati, he recorded five goals, 32 points, and 343 penalty minutes across 178 appearances.
Shifting his focus to coaching, Melrose guided the Adirondack Red Wings to victory in the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup championship in 1992.
The next season, he was appointed by the Kings, injecting a vibrant personality and quick success into the Los Angeles franchise. In his inaugural year at the helm, he steered a roster featuring Gretzky on an unforgettable postseason journey, culminating in a Stanley Cup finals appearance where they eventually fell to Montreal in five games.
During his tenure of just over two seasons in Los Angeles, Melrose compiled a record of 79-101 with 29 ties before his dismissal midway through the 1994-95 season.
In this week’s installment, we examine the circumstances surrounding how head coaches in the NHL get dismissed.
He joined ESPN in 1996, eventually pausing his television career for a short-lived tenure as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Steven Stamkos’ debut season in 2008-09. However, after a 5-7-4 start to the season, Melrose was let go just 16 games in, prompting his return to the broadcast booth.
Melrose was likewise recognized for his powerful hitting in fast-pitch softball, teaming up with other NHL players from the Kelvington area—such as Wendel Clark, Joey Kocur, Kelly Chase, and Kevin Kaminski—during Saskatchewan summers to establish a squad often referred to as “the toughest team to ever play.”
