09/09/26 08:27:00
Printable Page
09/09 20:26 CDT Hockey player and coach-turned-broadcaster Barry Melrose dies
at age 70
Hockey player and coach-turned-broadcaster Barry Melrose dies at age 70
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to
the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the
sport, has died. He was 70.
ESPN announced Melrose's death Wednesday after his wife informed the network.
"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," NHL Commissioner Gary 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."
Melrose stepped away from his analyst role in 2023 after being diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease. Wayne Gretzky at the time said Melrose was "bigger than
any team."
Melrose had a relatable everyman's broadcasting style, bringing a sense of
humor to his insights, and was easily recognized by his goatee and
slicked-backed hair.
"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."
From rural Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose broke into pro hockey with the
Cincinnati Stingers of the now-defunct World Hockey Association in 1976. He
played three seasons in Cincinnati --- the last teaming with a young Mark
Messier --- and, following the WHA's demise, made the transition to the NHL
with Winnipeg in 1979.
Melrose went on to play for Toronto and Detroit, where he closed his career
following the 1985-86 season.
He finished with 10 goals and 33 points and 728 penalty minutes in 300 career
NHL regular-season games, and he skated in seven more in the playoffs. His WHA
totals were five goals and 32 points and 343 penalty minutes in 178 games with
Cincinnati.
Melrose turned to coaching and led the Adirondack Red Wings to win the American
Hockey League Calder Cup championship in 1992.
The following year, Melrose was hired by the Kings, where he brought a sense of
colorful flare and instant success to Los Angeles. In his rookie season, he
coached a Kings team that featured Gretzky to make a memorable playoff run.
They reached the final before losing to Montreal in five games.
Melrose finished with a record of 79-101 and 29 ties over two-plus seasons in
L.A. before being fired midway through the 1994-95 season.
He was hired by ESPN in 1996 and left broadcasting for what became a brief
stint coaching the Tampa Bay Lightning in Steven Stamkos' rookie season in
2008-09. Melrose was fired 16 games into the season following a 5-7-4 start and
returned to broadcasting.
Melrose also was known for his long-ball hitting prowess in fast-pitch
softball, joining fellow Kelvington-area NHL players Wendel Clark, Joey Kocur,
Kelly Chase and Kevin Kaminski and others in the offseason in Saskatchewan to
form what some call the "the toughest team there ever was."
___
AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow and AP Sports Editor John Nicholson contributed.
___
See AP's full NHL coverage here
|
