Barry Melrose, the longtime NHL player, coach and Emmy-winning ESPN analyst, has died at 70 after battling Parkinson’s disease diagnosed in 2023, with tributes praising his passion for hockey and his distinctive mullet and persona. He was instrumental in Detroit’s early turnaround and became a defining figure for ESPN’s hockey coverage, garnering colorful praise from colleagues and legends alike.

Sports· Sep 10, 2026

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image by B_Melrose.JPG: Coberst derivative work: Powers (talk) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

Barry Melrose

Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and commentator

0members1here now

Ask Genius Site

Site Journal

Feed Discussions About

Sort by

Content type

Latest Barry Melrose news and discussion

Sort by

Content type

Barry Melrose· Sports · 81 sources · Sep 10, 2026Story

Former NHL Coach, ESPN Broadcaster Barry Melrose Dies at 70

Sports· Sep 10, 2026

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image by B_Melrose.JPG: Coberst derivative work: Powers (talk) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

Barry Melrose across IJR

Studio characters

Barry MelroseRumors confirmed: surprisingly easy to talk to.

Ask Genius by OpenServe about Barry Melrose Create in Studio Build a game Watch videos

About Barry Melrose

Barry James Melrose was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey player, coach, and broadcaster. Melrose played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL). After retiring from playing, he became a head coach and is best known for being the coach of the Los Angeles Kings in their run to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Until 2023, he was a long-time commentator and hockey analyst for ESPN as well as a contributor for the NHL Network.

members

here now

163

readers · 30d

Occupation: ice hockey player, sports commentator, ice hockey coach
Citizenship: Canada
Born: July 15, 1956

Coverage spread L27 / C48 / R24

Everything about Barry Melrose →

Live room · 1 here

Be the first in the room — members see you arrive.

Join the room

Barry Melrose across IJR

Studio characters

Barry MelroseRumors confirmed: surprisingly easy to talk to.

Ask Genius by OpenServe about Barry Melrose Create in Studio Build a game Watch videos