Barry Melrose, the former NHL coach and longtime ESPN hockey analyst, died Wednesday, Sept. 9, at age 70, and no cause of death has been released. Melrose stepped away from broadcasting in October 2023 after revealing he had Parkinson's disease.
His wife, Cindy, told ESPN's Steve Levy of his death, according to ESPN's report on Melrose's death. Tributes followed from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, former colleagues, and players he coached. Melrose led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final and spent 27 years at ESPN. Kings president Luc Robitaille said Melrose "played an important role in the growth of hockey" and its popularity across the United States, according to NHL.com's tribute to the coach and Emmy-winning broadcaster.
