Posted on 09/09/2026 8:18:04 PM PDT by dfwgator
Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach who was a beloved hockey analyst for ESPN for over 25 years, died Wednesday, his wife, Cindy, told ESPN's Steve Levy.
He was 70.
Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023, leading to his retirement from ESPN. He joined the network in 1996.
"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.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
I might be the only American Freeper who has actually been to Melrose’s home town of Kelvington, Saskatchewan!
The PLACE to be!
Dang. I never would have guessed he was as old as he was (two years older than me), but I remember him as a young man, I guess. I have fond memories of Barry as coach of the LA Kings in their Gretzky days. Full of spunk and always the GQ look. Rest in peace, Barry, and thanks for the memories.
I’ll always remember him for McSorley’s illegal stick in the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. The last year a Canadian team won the Cup.
I wonder if concussions contributed to Parkinson’s.
Amen. How will they get the mullet in the casket. Anyway him and Don Cherry were the best.
Yes RIP Barry! He taught me more about hockey than my coach did!
Speaking of legends, along with Barry and Cherry - let’s not forget Rick Jeannerette! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JEfbyrKnKc0&ra=m
my backyard in upstate NY
upstate also know for other hockey memories - ( not to mention the Miracle on Ice)
- The head coach of the Union College men’s ice hockey team during the 1976 season was the legendary Ned Harkness. Harkness was hired by Union College to resurrect and rapidly build up the hockey program starting in 1975, following a long hiatus that dated back to 1949. He coached the varsity team during both the 1975–76 and 1976–77 season.
If I recall the entire team was freshman. Because Union College had not fielded a hockey program since 1949, the team Harkness iced was literally comprised almost entirely of an “all-freshman” roster (along with a few sophomore transfers). They had no upperclassmen.
This group of young players became famous for immediately dominating collegiate hockey, skating to a remarkable 19–4–0 record in their very first season (1975–76) and an even better 22–3–1 record the following year (1976–77).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.