ESPN Legend Barry Melrose Dead At 70
Barry Melrose died Tuesday September 9, 2026, at the age of 70. ESPN confirmed the death. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in October 2023 and retired from broadcasting at that time, saying it was time to focus on his health and his family. He fought the disease for three years.
Melrose was one of the most recognizable personalities in hockey, an instantly identifiable figure with his slicked-back hair, goatee, flashy suits and a sense of humor that made him the rare analyst who could explain a complex defensive breakdown and then crack the room up in the same sentence.
He joined ESPN in 1996 and spent nearly three decades there as the network's primary NHL voice, covering Stanley Cups, Olympic hockey and every major moment in the sport with a combination of expertise and warmth that turned casual viewers into hockey fans.
Before broadcasting he was a head coach, his greatest moment behind the bench coming in 1993 when he led Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Final.
They lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. He later returned to coaching briefly with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008 before going back to ESPN.
His overall record as a head coach was 84-108-29. His record as a broadcaster was immeasurable.
"Barry is a unique, one-of-a-kind person," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said when Melrose retired in 2023. "Barry's gigantic personality and trademark style have made our game bigger, more exciting, and more entertaining." He was 70 years old.
