Barry Melrose, the former Los Angeles Kings coach who guided Wayne Gretzky’s team to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before becoming one of hockey’s best-known television analysts, has died aged 70.
ESPN announced his death on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after being informed by his wife. Melrose had stepped away from broadcasting in 2023 after revealing that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Tributes were led by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who said Melrose’s distinctive appearance and infectious enthusiasm had made him an unmistakable figure in the sport.
“From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, Barry Melrose cut an unmistakable figure,” Bettman said. “He never failed to boost your love of the game of hockey.”
ESPN described Melrose as “one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey”, praising his deep knowledge, candour and passion for the game.
Born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose began his professional career with the Cincinnati Stingers in the World Hockey Association in 1976. He later moved into the NHL, playing as a defenceman for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings before ending his playing career after the 1985-86 season.
He appeared in 300 NHL regular-season games, recording 10 goals and 33 points, and served 728 minutes in penalties. In the WHA, he played 178 games for Cincinnati, where one of his team-mates was a young Mark Messier.
Melrose turned to coaching after retiring as a player and won the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1992. The following year, he was appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
In his first season, Melrose led the Kings and Gretzky on a memorable run to the Stanley Cup Final. Los Angeles lost the series to the Montreal Canadiens in five games, but Melrose had established himself as one of the sport’s most recognisable young coaches.
His time behind the Kings’ bench ended midway through the 1994-95 season. He finished with 79 wins, 101 defeats and 29 ties over more than two seasons in Los Angeles.
Melrose joined ESPN in 1996 and built a long second career as a hockey analyst, known for his humour, direct opinions and colourful suits. He briefly returned to coaching in 2008, taking charge of the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games before returning to broadcasting.
Wayne Gretzky paid tribute to Melrose when he retired from ESPN in 2023, saying the broadcaster was “bigger than any team”.
