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Barry Melrose, the longtime hockey analyst who became the face of the sport for ESPN, has died at the age of 70.
ESPN first reported the news that its former hockey analyst passed away amid a battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Melrose spent parts of 27 years as ESPN's primary hockey analyst, officially joining the network full-time after his first head coaching stint.
Melrose will be known for helping introduce American sports fans to the game of hockey amid the growth of other sports. A former coach and player as well, Melrose's impact on the game of hockey was greatest as an analyst.
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Barry Melrose dies at 70
ESPN announced on Wednesday night that longtime hockey analyst Barry Melrose passed away at the age of 70.
"For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey," ESPN said in a statement. "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."
Melrose had not been with ESPN since 2023, as he stepped away while battling Parkinson's Disease. In his time at the network, though, he was the pre-eminent hockey expert, especially when the network didn't broadcast NHL games.
Prior to joining ESPN, Melrose both played and coached in the game of hockey. Melrose played played four seasons in the NHL, along with a dozen more combined in the WHL and AHL. He then became the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 1992-95, a team that included Wayne Gretzky, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. He also briefly coached the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, but lasted just 16 games.
The NHL also released a statement honoring Melrose.
“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. 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 said.
"A rangy and rugged defenseman from Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Barry fashioned an 11-year pro career in the NHL, AHL and WHA. But it was as a coach, who guided the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, and as a broadcaster, who spent 27 years at ESPN, that he truly made his mark upon the game. And during those countless encounters over the years with players, coaches, fans and viewers who couldn't help but be drawn in by his enthusiasm. We mourn the passing of a hockey original. And we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Cindy, their sons, Tyrell and Adrien, and all of his teammates, colleagues and admirers around the hockey world."
Barry Melrose cause of death
Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2023, which is when he stepped away from his role as ESPN's hockey analyst. However, ESPN did not confirm Parkinson's Disease as the official cause of death.
Barry Melrose tributes
Once the public learned about the news of Melrose's death, tributes poured in honoring the former NHL coach and analyst. That was especially the case for current and former ESPN employees who worked with him.
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.… pic.twitter.com/x1zV1b4z87
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) September 10, 2026Rest in peace to Barry Melrose.
Known to many as a definitive voice on all things hockey, but also an all-time great human.
He will be dearly missed 🙏 https://t.co/ilMW4lIYgd
One of the greatest people I ever got the honor to work with. Damn https://t.co/qBiVp7QOQt
— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 10, 2026If you are obsessed with a sport, as I was with hockey as a young kid, you can usually only dream of having an analyst that is engaging, informative and fun explaining it on TV every night. What a godsend he was for the sport of hockey, for ESPN, and for everyone who knew him. https://t.co/xWkYnxCgUN
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 10, 2026Seeing Barry Melrose as a colleague in Bristol was always wonderful … but I am eternally grateful for how welcoming he was to me when I had to fill in on a Kings road trip and cover his team before I became a full-time NBA writer. Barry loved his sport so, so, SO much. https://t.co/V0zMeexbvZ
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 10, 2026And of course, the general sports and NHL communities recognized Melrose for his contributions to the game of hockey.
RIP Barry Melrose man, one of the all time legends around the game. Enjoyed watching him talk hockey throughout my entire childhood. As much as I joked around about his gigantic suits and how there were potentially apartment complexes housing people inside his suit pants, the… pic.twitter.com/nPhVqprURC
— Rob Gucci (@heatdaddy69420) September 10, 2026Sad, awful news for the entire hockey world. Barry was a class act. One of the true good guys. Lightning my next cigar with a heavy heart ❤️ https://t.co/NDCJsRSCXq
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 10, 2026This just stinks. RIP Barry Melrose. A truly fantastic ambassador of the game and a very, very nice man. Awful news. https://t.co/fMApx0aRtY
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) September 10, 2026Rest in peace to former Kings head coach Barry Melrose, a great coach and analyst to the sport of hockey. The mullet will be missed. pic.twitter.com/NBS8rrNC0j
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 10, 2026
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