Barry Melrose, former NHL coach and ESPN analyst, dies at 70

Barry Melrose, the former NHL defenceman who coached the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final and spent more than a quarter of a century as an ESPN analyst, has died at 70.

ESPN announced the death on Wednesday after being informed by Melrose's wife. He had stepped away from broadcasting in 2023 following a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, ending an on-screen run that began in 1996.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke of the figure Melrose cut at rinkside and in the studio.

"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," Bettman said. "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."

Wayne Gretzky, who played for the Kings throughout Melrose's spell as coach, called him "bigger than any team" when Melrose retired in 2023.

ESPN's own statement was direct about what the department is losing.

"For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey. His knowledge of the game was deep, his candour was refreshing and his passion was unmistakable."

Melrose took charge of the Kings in 1992 after title-winning spells in the American Hockey League and Canada's junior ranks. In his first season the side reached the Stanley Cup Final, where Montreal Canadiens beat them 4-1 in the series. Los Angeles missed the play-offs in each of the following two seasons, and Melrose moved into television not long after. He had one further turn on the bench, a short stint as head coach of Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, before returning to the studio for good.

As a player he was a defenceman, born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, who turned professional in 1976 with the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association, lining up alongside a Young Mark Messier in his final season there. When the WHA folded he moved to the NHL with Winnipeg in 1979, later playing for Toronto and Detroit before retiring after the 1985-86 season. Across 300 regular-season NHL games he recorded 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points, with 728 penalty minutes.

The mullet and the goatee made him recognisable; by all accounts it was the willingness to say plainly what he thought that kept him trusted in the role for so long.