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Barry Melrose Dies at 70, Former Kings Coach

9/10/2026

22 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Barry Melrose Dies

Barry Melrose died at age 70.
He stepped away from ESPN in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
He led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final in his first season.
He spent 27 years as an ESPN studio analyst, joining the network in 1996.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Melrose’s mullet, suits and fan impact in a statement.

Summary

Melrose Signs Deal

Melrose, a coach, signed a $1.3 million 1992 contract with the Los Angeles Kings, then the highest for a first-time NHL coach.
He authored the 2012 book “Dropping the Gloves,” about professional hockey’s combative nature.
He grew up on a Kelvington, Saskatchewan farm where his father built a private ice rink.
He led the Medicine Hat Tigers to a WHL championship in 1988, his first season as head coach.

History

Historical Context

After guiding the Adirondack Red Wings to a Calder Cup in 1992, Barry Melrose was hired to coach the Los Angeles Kings for the 1992-93 season and led the franchise to its first Stanley Cup Final in 1993. He then spent 13 years as an ESPN hockey analyst, a path that helped popularize former coaches and players in broadcast roles.

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Barry Melrose Dies

Barry Melrose died at age 70.
He stepped away from ESPN in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
He led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final in his first season.
He spent 27 years as an ESPN studio analyst, joining the network in 1996.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Melrose’s mullet, suits and fan impact in a statement.

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